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Op Art

OP ART STYLE

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.

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Style: Op Art
Relation Couleur
Relation Couleur

Relation Couleur

By Hugo Demarco

Located in New York, NY

Hugo Demarco Relation Couleur, 1973 Silkscreen on velincarton Hand signed and numbered 63/200 on lower front. Bears the publisher's blind stamp on the fro...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Luna, Abstract Geometric Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren
Luna, Abstract Geometric Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren

Luna, Abstract Geometric Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren

By Roy Ahlgren

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Roy Ahlgren, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Luna Year: 1977 Edition: AP Medium: Serigraph, signed and numbered in pencil Image Size: 17.5 x 17.5 inches Size: 20 x 20 inches

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Polarization, OP Art Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren
Polarization, OP Art Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren

Polarization, OP Art Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren

By Roy Ahlgren

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Roy Ahlgren, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Polarization Year: 1981 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 150 Image Size: 18 x 25 inches Size: 22 x 29.5 ...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Untitled #1, 1964 from New York Ten
Untitled #1, 1964 from New York Ten

Untitled #1, 1964 from New York Ten

By Mon Levinson

Located in New York, NY

This dynamic work was realized by the esteemed 20th Century modern artist Mon Levinson in 1964. The work was realized in 1964, and printed in 1965 by Chiron Press in New York- the same year that Levinson was included in the seminal Op-Art exhibition "The Responsive Eye", alongside contemporary luminaries such as Bridget Riley. An identical work from this edition resides in the permanent collection of the New York MoMA. This mixed media work consists of an translucent vinyl sheet layered over a print- part etching, part lithograph. The clear vinyl sheet is embossed with a tight pattern of sinuously curved repeating black lines and is subtly raised in places- creating a subtle three dimensionality and dynamic sense of movement. The paper is inscribed with the same recurring pattern of snaking black lines, like a fine filigree, with two weighty black geometric forms that appear to crowd the composition. Smaller geometric forms reside within creating the apparition of negative space in the bone hued paper. The juxtaposition of the delicate texture and colossal feeling forms imbues the piece with a stunning dynamism and tension, helping to explain why Levinson is among the most influential and important artist to come out of the Op Art movement. His work is in the permanent collections of important institutions around the world including the Museum of Modern Art as well as the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. Signed by the artist and marked 18/200. The work comes presented in a custom walnut and white gilt frame...

Category

1960s Op Art

Materials

Mixed Media

Thermal Inversion, Op Art Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren
Thermal Inversion, Op Art Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren

Thermal Inversion, Op Art Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren

By Roy Ahlgren

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Roy Ahlgren, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Thermal Inversion Year: 1980 Medium: Serigraph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 140 Image Size: 18 x 25 inches Size: 22 x 29...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Fiesta
Fiesta

Fiesta

By Roy Ahlgren

Located in San Francisco, CA

This artwork titled "Fiesta" 1982 is a color serigraph on Wove paper by noted American artist Roy Ahlgren, 1927-2011 It is hand signed, titled, dated and numbered 66/130 in pencil by...

Category

Mid-20th Century Op Art

Materials

Screen

Night Nurse, Large Magritte-like Surreal Painting by Backstrom aka Beck o Jung
Night Nurse, Large Magritte-like Surreal Painting by Backstrom aka Beck o Jung

Night Nurse, Large Magritte-like Surreal Painting by Backstrom aka Beck o Jung

By Holger Bäckström

Located in Long Island City, NY

An oil painting by Holger Bäckström from 1979. A mixed media collage and oil painting produced by the company Beck & Jung, a collaborative duo between Holger Bäckström and Bo Ljungberg in the 1960's-70's. Their emphasis on highly designed optical art-style is eminent in the objects produced from Beck & Jung. Artist: Holger Bäckström and Bo Ljungberg (aka Beck & Jung), Scandanavian (1939 - 1997 and 2007) Title: Night Nurse...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

TR-UR, Victor Vasarely

TR-UR, Victor Vasarely

By Victor Vasarely

Located in Fairfield, CT

Artist: Victor Vasarely (1908-1997) Title: TR-UR Year: 1980 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches paper Edition: 116/250, plus proofs Size: 39.25 x 30.75 inches Condition: Good Inscription: S...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Untitled
Untitled

Untitled

By Victor Vasarely

Located in Palo Alto, CA

Victor Vasarely Untitled, c. 1970-79 is a glazed porcelain multiple that is hand-signed by Victor Vasarely (Hungary, 1906 – France, 1997) and is numbered from the edition of 50 on ve...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Porcelain

Julian Stanczak Blue Op Art Screen Print
Julian Stanczak Blue Op Art Screen Print

Julian Stanczak Blue Op Art Screen Print

By Julian Stanczak

Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL

Julian Stanczak Blue Op Art Screen Print screenprint Pencil signed (lower right) edition numbered 20/165, measures 28" x 28". Black frame under Plexiglas. Julian Stanczak American/Polish, 1928-2017. Julian Stanczak explores the visual, psychological, and emotional resonance of color in his Op art paintings, through which he aims to induce a “color meltdown,” as he describes: “I want to fuse many colorants and their gradations into a single color experience.” Influenced by Josef Albers and Russian Suprematism...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Screen

K-BYMR, Orange OP Art Screenprint by Josef Levi
K-BYMR, Orange OP Art Screenprint by Josef Levi

K-BYMR, Orange OP Art Screenprint by Josef Levi

By Josef Levi

Located in Long Island City, NY

This screenprint was created by American artist Josef Levi. Levi is especially known for his interest in the visual similarities that transcend cultures, like the pattern shown here....

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Architecture Kinetic Statue of Liberty Op Art Screen Print Lithograph Pol Bury
Architecture Kinetic Statue of Liberty Op Art Screen Print Lithograph Pol Bury

Architecture Kinetic Statue of Liberty Op Art Screen Print Lithograph Pol Bury

By Pol Bury

Located in Surfside, FL

Pol Bury (Belgian, 1922-2005) screen print of Statue of Liberty Hand signed and numbered 27/ 62 in pencil Dimensions: 24.25 X 17.5 inches. (sheet size) Provenance: Published by Lefebre Gallery, New York. lithographie en couleurs. Signées et numérotées 27/62. This is just for the print. the title sheet is just included for reference. Pol Bury (1922 – 2005) was a Belgian sculptor who began his artistic career as a painter in the Jeune Peintre Belge (along with Willy Anthoons, James Ensor, Odette Collon, Pierre Alechinsky, Jo Delahaut and Jean Rets...

Category

1960s Op Art

Materials

Lithograph, Screen

Countessian, 1983, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson
Countessian, 1983, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson

Countessian, 1983, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson

By Barry Nelson

Located in Long Island City, NY

Countessian Barry Nelson, British/American (1937) Date: 1983 Etching with Aquatint on Arches, signed, titled, numbered and dated in pencil Edition of AP Image Size: 29.5 x 20.25 inch...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

In the Cannon's Mouth
In the Cannon's Mouth

In the Cannon's Mouth

By Peter Mack

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Peter Mack Title: In the Cannon's Mouth Year: circa 1980 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed l.r. Size: 60 x 60 in. (152.4 x 152.4 cm)

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Acrylic

Inca, Op Art Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren
Inca, Op Art Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren

Inca, Op Art Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren

By Roy Ahlgren

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Roy Ahlgren, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Inca Year: 1984 Medium: Screenprint, signed, numbered, titled, and dated in pencil Edition: 150 Size: 30 x 22 in. (76.2 x 55.88 cm)

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Screen

TRIDIM Gris
TRIDIM Gris

TRIDIM Gris

By Victor Vasarely

Located in Fairlawn, OH

TRIDIM Gris Screen print, 1986 Signed in pencil lower right (see photo) Edition: 200 (76/200) From: portfolio enetitled "35 ans apres" Printed at Atelier Arcay, Paris, France Publisher: Park West Gallery...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Annual Edition, 1994
Annual Edition, 1994

Annual Edition, 1994

By Richard Anuszkiewicz

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Annual Edition, 1994 Screen print, 1994 Signed and dated in pencil by the artist. Small edition Dedicated in pencil by the artist "For Bart and Ann" Created as a gift to the artist'...

Category

1990s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Oscillation
Oscillation

Oscillation

By Roy Ahlgren

Located in Fairlawn, OH

11 color screen print Signed, dated, titled and numberedin pencil Edition: 150 (9/150) Provenance: Estate of the Artist By Decent

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Screen

K-GRGB, Op Art Screen Print by Josef Levi
K-GRGB, Op Art Screen Print by Josef Levi

K-GRGB, Op Art Screen Print by Josef Levi

By Josef Levi

Located in Long Island City, NY

Josef Levi, American (1938 - ) - K-GRGB, Year: 1971, Medium: Screenprint, signed, numbered, titled and dated, Edition: 6, Image Size: 28 x 28 inches, Size: 32 x 32 in. (81.28 x 81.28...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Screen

The Fifty Years 8 "Chillán"

The Fifty Years 8 "Chillán"

By Victor Vasarely

Located in OPOLE, PL

Victor Vasarely (1906-1997) - Olla II Silkscreen / Serigraph from 1989. Edition of 250. Dimensions of work: 47 x 37.5 cm Reference: Catalogue Raisonné Vol I par Pedro Benavides n...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Roy Ahlgren 'Embryo' Signed, Limited Edition Op-Art Serigraph Print
Roy Ahlgren 'Embryo' Signed, Limited Edition Op-Art Serigraph Print

Roy Ahlgren 'Embryo' Signed, Limited Edition Op-Art Serigraph Print

By Roy Ahlgren

Located in San Rafael, CA

Roy Ahlgren (American, 1927 - 2011) Embryo, 1982 Serigraph on wove paper Signed, title and edition in pencil in lower margin Edition 8/130 Sheet: 22 1/4in H x 29 3/4in L (unframed) ...

Category

Late 20th Century Op Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Screen

Yellow Abstraction, Geometric Abstract OP Art Agamograph by Yaacov Agam
Yellow Abstraction, Geometric Abstract OP Art Agamograph by Yaacov Agam

Yellow Abstraction, Geometric Abstract OP Art Agamograph by Yaacov Agam

By Yaacov Agam

Located in Long Island City, NY

The Agamograph is Yaacov Agam’s unique contribution to the OP Art movement. The object is a print behind a lenticular surface that fools the eye to show movement and three-dimensional depth. The “Yellow Abstraction” is hand-signed and numbered in marker by the artist. Yellow Abstraction Yaacov Agam, Israeli (1928) Date: circa 1980 Agamograph, signed and numbered in marker Edition of 39...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Lenticular, Screen

Victor Vasarely, Door, 1982
Victor Vasarely, Door, 1982

Victor Vasarely, Door, 1982

By Victor Vasarely

Located in Petworth, West Sussex

Victor Vasarely (Hungarian / French 1906 – 1997) Door, 1982 Numbered ‘E.A. 7/9’ (lower left) and signed Vasarely (lower right) Artist’s proof Silkscreen print 43 x 23.1/2 in. (109.3 ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Op Art

Materials

Screen

5 Blue Boxes Illusion Sculpture
5 Blue Boxes Illusion Sculpture

5 Blue Boxes Illusion Sculpture

By Sanseviero

Located in Southampton, NY

Sanseviero's metal sculptures fool the eye. His "illusion sculptures" are amazingly only 1/16th of an inch thick and yet they appear to be 3 dimensional boxes with open centers that ...

Category

2010s Op Art

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Op Art art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Op art available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add art created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, purple, orange, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Victor Vasarely, Roy Ahlgren, Victor Debach, and Yaacov Agam. Frequently made by artists working with Screen Print, and Paint and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Op Art, so small editions measuring 2 inches across are also available. Prices for art made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $66 and tops out at $350,000, while the average work sells for $1,616.