Circa 1967
Widely considered the grandfather of Op art, the French-Hungarian painter Victor Vasarely (1906–97) created eye-popping geometric abstractions that play with the viewer’s perception of depth, perspective and motion. A classic example is the 1937 Zebra, which consists of undulating black and white stripes that suggest the form of the titular animal through optical trickery. The work is often credited as the earliest Op art painting.
Such illusions were more than pleasing tricks for Vasarely, who insisted that “pure form and pure color can signify the world.” He wanted to “democratize” art by producing works in large editions at reasonable prices that were understandable across national and cultural boundaries. In the 1960s, he developed an alphabet plastique, or fine art alphabet, consisting of elementary visual building blocks that could be used in endless combinations to create original compositions. By employing this universal visual vocabulary and stripping away topical references, he sought to create what he called a “Planetary Folklore.”
Embodying Vasarely’s singular belief that art should serve a social function, accessible to all, these innovations may perhaps be his greatest contribution to 20th-century art.
Find a collection of Victor Vasarely prints, paintings, sculptures and other art on 1stDibs.
$120,000
H 17.72 in W 17.72 in D 1.19 in
Yaacov Agam, Small EA nd, Original kinetic work, Acrylic on aluminium
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
Yaacov Agam, Original work, Acrylic on aluminium, 1989, Kinetic art, kinetic work, hand-painted, Israeli afrtist, Israeli art Dimensions (no frame): Height: 22 cm (8.66 in), Width: 2...
Acrylic
Modulation 866
By Julio Le Parc
Located in Miami, FL
Julio Le Parc Modulation 866, 1986 Acrylic on canvas 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 in Signed on verso Provenance: Galleria Rotta, Genova. Private Collection. Finarte, Auction 243, Lot #243 COA by ...
Canvas, Acrylic
Prochromatique No.1135
By Dario Perez Flores
Located in PARIS, FR
In the middle of the eighties Perez-Flores started the creation of a large series of pictures and reliefs called "Prochromatiques", in which the vertical elements are dominating. The...
Wood, Acrylic, Wood Panel
MOBILE VERTICAL 54-075
By Dario Perez Flores
Located in PARIS, FR
Mobile reliefs with moving patterns operated by motors that alter space-colour ratios, initially in black and white and later colour. Very slowly, the parts changed, were separated a...
Acrylic, Canvas
Prochromatique No.1117
By Dario Perez Flores
Located in PARIS, FR
In the middle of the eighties Perez-Flores started the creation of a large series of pictures and reliefs called "Prochromatiques", in which the vertical elements are dominating. The...
Wood, Acrylic, Wood Panel
Mobile Mutable 4375
By Dario Perez Flores
Located in PARIS, FR
Mobile reliefs with moving patterns operated by motors that alter the space colour ratios, initially in black and white and later in colour. Very slowly, the parts changed, were sepa...
Wood, Acrylic, Wood Panel
Prochromatique No.1172
By Dario Perez Flores
Located in PARIS, FR
In the middle of the eighties Perez-Flores started the creation of a large series of pictures and reliefs called "Prochromatiques", in which the vertical elements are dominating. The...
Wood, Acrylic, Wood Panel
Hidden Luminosity
By Rodrigo Franzao 1
Located in Rye, NY
This artwork is a masterful exploration of texture and color, presenting a striking square canvas dominated by shades of blue. The surface features a meticulously crafted mosaic of t...
Resin, Latex, Paper, Acrylic
Mysterious Beauty
By Rodrigo Franzao 1
Located in Rye, NY
The artworks are inspired by textures found in nature such as trees, flower fields, clouds, sky, sunrise and sunset, as well as textures of soil, stones, and tree bark. The artist ex...
Paper, Acrylic
Breath of the Earth
By Rodrigo Franzao 1
Located in Rye, NY
This artwork is a masterful exploration of texture and color, presenting a striking square canvas dominated by shades of blue. The surface features a meticulously crafted mosaic of t...
Resin, Latex, Paper, Acrylic
Moons - kinetic art
By Yaacov Agam
Located in New York, NY
This is an authentic Polymorph kinetic art work by world-renowned Israeli artist Yaacov Agam (b. 1928), one of the leading figures in Op Art and Kinetic Art. It is hand singed on bot...
Canvas, Acrylic Polymer, Cardboard
Golden Texture 2021 - geometric abstract painting
By Roberto Lucchetta
Located in New York, NY
This hand-painted piece by Lucchetta is part of the op art series where he is able to catch movement with his unique technique. Lucchetta is challenging himself. His precise stable h...
Wood, Ink, Acrylic, Cardboard
Pink purple surface 2021 - geometric abstract painting
By Roberto Lucchetta
Located in New York, NY
This hand-painted piece by Lucchetta is part of the op art series where he is able to catch movement with his unique technique. Lucchetta is challenging himself. His precise stable h...
Wood, Ink, Acrylic, Cardboard
Green waves 2021 - geometric abstract painting
By Roberto Lucchetta
Located in New York, NY
This hand-painted piece by Lucchetta is part of the op art series where he is able to catch movement with his unique technique. Lucchetta is challenging himself. His precise stable h...
Wood, Ink, Acrylic, Cardboard
Black and white
By Roberto Lucchetta
Located in New York, NY
This piece is delicately hand painted with a pen over cardboard. With his unique style and technique, Roberto transfers movement to his art works, making his individual lines connect...
Acrylic, Cardboard, Ballpoint Pen
Struttura
By Roberto Lucchetta
Located in New York, NY
This hand painted piece by Lucchetta is part of the op art series where he is able to catch movement with his unique technique. Lucchetta is challenging himself. His precise stable h...
Ink, Acrylic, Cardboard
