The Op art movement emerged in the 1960s, mirroring the counterculture of the time in its embrace of visual trickery, graphic shapes and bright colors.
Spreading across Europe and the Americas, the style — whose name is short for “optical art” — influenced advertising, fashion and interior design before fading in the early ’70s.
Op art remained significant, however, for artists and scientists interested in the nature of perception. And today, it’s seeing a resurgence of interest from collectors and interior designers.
Op artists played with the principles of perception, manipulating line, shape, patterns and color to create the illusion of depth and movement. They drew on and evolved methods developed by past movements, from Impressionism to Abstract Expressionism, to produce intense visual experiences.
All the Op artists shared a focus on the gap between what is and what we perceive. Each, however, had a distinct approach to the issue and a unique visual style.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Op art that includes works by Josef Albers, Bridget Riley, Jesús Rafael Soto and more.
$3,250
Modern Framed 'Entropy' Print on Paper Bright Yellow Green Color by Abi Polinsky
By Abi Polinsky
Located in New York, NY
Entropy by Abi Polinsky Print on Hahnemüle Photo Rag paper, framed. W 32" x H 42" Please contact us for shipping quotes and customization options.
Photographic Paper
$3,515
H 21.46 in W 29.53 in D 0.08 in
Frankie and Michelle - Figurative sensual photo, Fine art nude, Contemporary
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
An original signed archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Baryta 315 gsm paper by Scottish artist Ian Sanderson (1951- 2020) titled ‘ Frankie and Michelle ‘ who was captur...
Photographic Film, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Black and White, ...
$2,250
H 39 in W 39 in D 0.1 in
"Invisibility Hat" Black & White Photography 39x39 in Ed. 2/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Invisibility Hat" Black & White Photography 39x39 in Ed. 2/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by t...
Photographic Paper
$2,250
H 39 in W 39 in D 0.1 in
"Modern Traditions 2" Photography 39" x 39" inch Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Modern Traditions 2" Photography 39" x 39" inch Edition 1/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the ar...
Photographic Paper
$1,400
H 24 in W 24 in D 0.1 in
"Men" Black & White Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition 4/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Men" Black & White Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition 4/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by ...
Photographic Paper
$2,150
H 39 in W 39 in D 0.1 in
"Ballet" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Edition of 3 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Ballet" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Edition of 3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by th...
Photographic Paper
$351
H 7.88 in W 9.85 in D 0.04 in
Nude Reflection Historical Photo, Black and White, 1960s, Unframed
Located in Roma, IT
Nude reflection - Historical Photo is a black and white vintage photograph realized in the 1960s. It belongs to historical albumen including photo reportages of historical events and...
Photographic Paper
$13,252
H 48 in W 48 in
Untitled #20, Cascais, Limited Edition Chromogenic Print, Portugal Photography
By Karine Laval
Located in Brighton, GB
Untitled #20 is a dazzling Chromogenic Print by Contemporary photographer Karine Laval It is available in this size in a Limited Edition of 5 Divers prepare to leap off diving boar...
Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color
$64
H 7.09 in W 9.45 in D 0.04 in
Vintage Black and White Photograph of Painting, Modern, 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo of Painting is a vintage black and white photograph realized in the early 20th Century. Good conditions.
Photographic Paper
$2,929
H 19.69 in W 13.39 in D 0.08 in
Frankie - Signed limited edition art print, Black white, Woman on dentist chair
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Frankie - Signed limited edition archival pigment print - Edition of 5 This image was captured on film in 1986. The negative was scanned creating a digital file which was then pri...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Black and White, Photographic Film, Pi...
$4,836
H 20 in W 20 in
Untitled #27, Oslo, Limited Edition Chromogenic Print, Swimming Pool Norway
By Karine Laval
Located in Brighton, GB
Untitled #27 is a dazzling Chromogenic Print by Contemporary photographer Karine Laval Limited Edition of 15 In Untitled #27, Oslo, Karine Laval captures a group of children gather...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color
$52
H 3.94 in W 1.58 in D 0.04 in
Portrait of Franca Marzi, Vintage Photo on Photographic Paper, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. The Italian Actress Franca Marzi posing in the photo studio.
Photographic Paper
$210
H 3.94 in W 6.3 in D 0.04 in
Vintage Photograph of a Painting by Beppe Guzzi - Mid 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Photograph of a Painting by Beppe Guzzi is a black and white vintage photo realized by an anonymous artist in the mid-20th Century. Good conditions except for some minor fixings. T...
Photographic Paper
Sold
H 42 in W 32 in
Framed 'Janus' Print on Paper, Bright Yellow Orange Red Color, by Abi Polinsky
By Abi Polinsky
Located in New York, NY
Janus by Abi Polinsky. REP by Tuleste Factory Print on Hahnemüle Photo Rag paper, framed. W 32" x H 42" Please contact us for shipping quotes and customization options.
Photographic Paper
Sold
Israeli Soldier Praying Tallit Photogram Op Art Kabbala Photograph Judaica Photo
Located in Surfside, FL
This one is unsigned but it came with two more signed works. Ya'acov Kaszemacher, well-known artist and photographer whose unique images of Hasidic festivities are fascinating to v...
Photographic Paper