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.
Red Blue Variations, OP Art Acrylic Painting by Roy Ahlgren
By Roy Ahlgren
Located in Long Island City, NY
An acrylic painting by Roy Ahlgren circa 1970. A geometric abstract painting utilizing bright contrasting color blocks in a modern form. Signed verso, unframed. Artist: Roy Ahlgren, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Red Blue Variations...
Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
Square Variables IX
By Todd Smith
Located in Surfside, FL
Early graphic work by the photographer Todd Smith during his period at Pratt Institute in the early 1970s. Edition of 250, unsigned and unnumbered, as issued.
Lithograph
Disconnected Circles - Original Screen Print by Mario Padovan - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Disconnected Circles is an original colored serigraph realized by Mario Padovan in the 1970s. Hand-signed in pencil on the lower right. Numbered in pencil on the lower left. Edition...
Screen
Marginal
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Marginal Screen print, 1971 Signed and numbered in pencil From: Twelve Progressions, 1970-1971 Commissioned by Martha Jackson Graphics Printed: Domberger, Stuttgart, Germany Edition:...
Screen
Vintage Chokk Mini C Original Op Art Vasarely Collage Painting
Located in Surfside, FL
VICTOR VASARELY (1908-1997) CHOKK-MINI C, 1988. Colored paper collage, signed in black ink lower right Titled, signed, dated and numbered 'VAS-440' on the verso; Frame: 24.75" x 18" ...
Mixed Media
USA, Op Art Screenprint by Jack Brusca
By Jack Brusca
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jack Brusca, American (1939 - 1993) - USA, Year: 1978, Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 200, AP 30, Image Size: 24 x 24 inches, Size: 28 in. x 26 in....
Screen
Inward Eye #4, Geometric Abstract OP Art Screenprint by Richard Anuszkiewicz
Located in Long Island City, NY
Richard Anuszkiewicz (American, 1930 - ) created the "Inward Eye" portfolio after a conversation with a friend who said that Anuszkiewcz's works reminded him of William Blake's work....
Screen
Someone-Somewhere, Op Art Screenprint by Lev Moross
By Lev Moross
Located in Long Island City, NY
Lev Moross - Someone-Somewhere, Year: circa 1980, Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 77/200, Image Size: 38 x 26 inches, Size: 41 x 28 in. (104.14 x ...
Screen
Revolution, Op Art Screenprint by Jack Brusca
By Jack Brusca
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jack Brusca, Peruvian (1927 - ) - Revolution, Year: 1978, Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 200, AP 30, Image Size: 24 x 24 inches, Size: 27 in. x 26 ...
Screen
Rhythm 15 - Original Screen Print by Mario Padovan - 1969
Located in Roma, IT
Rhythm 15 is an original colored serigraph realized by Mario Padovan in 1969. Hand-signed in pencil on the lower right. Numbered in pencil on the lower left. Edition 26/50. Original...
Lithograph
Precious Reflections - Original Screen Print by Mario Padovan - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Precious Reflections is a beautiful colored serigraph realized by Mario Padovan in the 1970s. Hand-signed in pencil on the lower right. Numbered in pencil on the lower left. Edition...
Screen
Abstract Totem - Original Lithograph by Mario Padovan - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Abstract Totem is an original colored lithograph realized by Mario Padovan in the 1970s. Hand-signed in pencil on the lower right. Numbered in pencil o...
Lithograph
$950
Structure Cubique, OP Art Screenprint by Yvaral Vasarely
By Yvaral (Jean-Pierre Vasarely)
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jean-Pierre Vasarely Yvaral, French (1934 - 2002) Title: 50 Shades of Blue Year: circa 1970 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 200 Image Size: 24.5 x...
Screen
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
Lenk Series B, Kaspar Thomas Lenk
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Walasse Ting (1929-2010) Title: Lenk Series B Year: 1971 Edition: EA;100 Medium: Silkscreen, metallic ink in colors on wove paper Size: 26.5 x 26.5 inches Inscription: Signed...
Screen
Tres Torres, Surrealist Geometric Screenprint by Enrique Sebastian Carbajal
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Enrique Carbajal Sebastian, Mexican (1947 - ) Title: Tres Torres Year: 1982 Medium: Serigraph, signed and numbered in pencil Edi...
Screen
Zarch III, Geometric Abstract Screenprint by Babe Shapiro
By Babe Shapiro
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Babe Shapiro, American (1937 - 2016) Title: Zarch III Year: 1971 Medium: Screenprint, signed in pencil Edition: AP Image Size: 30 x 22 inches Size: 33 x 25 in. (83.82 x 63.5 cm)
Screen
Untitled, Op Art Screenprint by Russell Dunbar
Located in Long Island City, NY
Russell Dunbar, American (1927 - ) - Untitled, Year: circa 1970, Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 100, Image Size: 23 x 23.25 inches, Size: 27 x 27.25 i...
Screen
Ringling, Signed Geometric Abstract Screenprint by David Simpson
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: David Simpson Title: Ringling Year: c. 1969 Medium: Serigraph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 80 Size: 30 x 22.5 inches
Screen
Mobius, Signed Op Art Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren
By Roy Ahlgren
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Roy Ahlgren, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Mobius Year: 1978 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 80 Image Size: 18 x 26 inches Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.8...
Screen
$92,000Sale Price|38% Off
Undulating Units
By Francis Celentano
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An abstract, Op Art painting by Francis Celentano. "Undulating Units" is a black and white, abstract Op Art painting from seminal Op Artist Francis Celentano. "Undulating Units" is a large format, black and white, acrylic on canvas painting. Signed verso, “F. Celentano 1968” Provenance: Jacobsen Howard Gallery, New York, New York Loretta Howard...
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled
Located in Miami, FL
Jesus Rafael Soto Untitled Serigraph Ed. 15 of 200 34 x 34 in
Screen
Gull Point, Op Art Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren
By Roy Ahlgren
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Roy Ahlgren, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Gull Point Year: 1987 Medium: Silkscreen, signed, numbered, dated, and titled in pencil Edition: 100 Image Size: 25.5 x 18 inches ...
Screen
Quasar-Gelb-Grun, Op Art Screenprint by Lothar Quinte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Lothar Quinte, Polish (1923 - 2000) - Quasar-Gelb-Grun, Year: 1973, Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 25/40, Size: 35.5 x 35 in. (90.17 x 88.9 cm)
Screen
V from Double Metamorphosis Series, Op Art Screenprint by Yaacov Agam
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Long Island City, NY
V from Double Metamorphosis Series Yaacov Agam, Israeli (1928) Date: Circa 1979 Screenprint on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil Edition of 180 Image Size: 27.5 x 42 inches Size:...
Screen
Autoportrait
Located in OPOLE, PL
Victor Vasarely (1906-1997) - Autoportrait Silkscreen / Serigraph from 1989. Edition of 250. Dimensions of work: 47 x 37.5 cm The work is in Excellent condition. Fast and secure...
Lithograph
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Trespass, Julian Stanczak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Julian Stanczak (1928-2017) Title: Trespass Year: 1979 Edition: 106/175, plus proofs Medium: Silkscreen on Somerset paper Size: 26.75 x 22.5 inches Condition: Good Inscriptio...
Screen
Sequential Chroma
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Artist: Julian Stanczak Title: Sequential Chroma Year: 1978 Medium: Screen print Signature: Hand signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 175 Size: 35.25 x 25.75 in
Screen
$1,750
Oscar Reutersvard Original Op Art Pen, Ink & Watercolor Drawing C.1990
Located in San Francisco, CA
Oscar Reutersvard Original Op Art Pen, Ink & Watercolor Drawing C.1990 Dimensions 8" wide x 11" high Housed in a simple frame - Dimensions 15" wide...
Ink, Watercolor
Faces of Dali #6
By Yvaral (Jean-Pierre Vasarely)
Located in Greenwich, CT
Faces of Dalí #6 is a serigraph on paper with an image size of 26 x 18 inches, signed 'Yvaral' lower right and numbered 115/200 lower left. From the edition of 263 (there were also 2...
Paper, Screen
Fille Fleur Serigraph on Paper, Op Art, Signed, 1980s, Edition of 250
Located in Aventura, FL
Serigraph on paper.. Hand signed and numbered by the artist. Image size 25.75 x 16 inches. Sheet size 30.5 x 19.5 inches. Frame size approx 37 x 26 inches. From the main edition of...
Paper, Screen
Victor Vasarely "The Door" Signed Serigraph c.1982
Located in San Francisco, CA
Victor Vasarely (French, 1906-1997) Titled "The Door" c.1982 Bright and bold serigraph from an edition of 325. Pencil signed and numbered by the artist. Serigraph dimensions 13"...
Screen
Cracked Shell, Op Art Acrylic Painting on Canvas by Patrice Breteau
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Patrice Breteau, French (1942 - ) Title: Cracked Shell Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed and dated l.r. Size: 30 x 30 in. (76.2 x 76.2 cm) Frame: 31.5 x 31.5 inches
Canvas, Acrylic
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
Faces of Dali #2, Yvaral
By Yvaral (Jean-Pierre Vasarely)
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yvaral, Jean-Pierre Vasarely (1934-2002) Title: Faces of Dali #2 Year: 1977 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches paper Edition: 104/200, plus proofs Size: 34.75 x 24.375 inches Condi...
Screen
Unique White Marble OP Art Sculpture by Domenico Casanta
Located in Long Island City, NY
A unique carved marble sculpture by well-known Italian/Venezuelan Kinetic Artist, Domenico Casasanta (1935 - ). It is signed and dated 1972. Artist: Domenico Casasanta, Italian (1...
Marble
Our M.C.-2
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Our M.C.-2 Screen print, 1970 Signed in pencil lower right Chop stamp: Denise Rene Editeur, on lower left margin From: Album Charities Edition: 300 (35/300) Catalog raisonne states e...
Screen
Ovalo Verde, OP Art Kinetic Screenprint by Jesus Rafael Soto
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jesus Rafael Soto, Venezuelan (1923 - 2005) Title: Ovalo Verde Year: 1980 Medium: Screenprint on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 150, AP 25 Paper Size: 22 in. ...
Screen
$950
Sky Light XXIII, Geometric Abstract OP Art Screenprint by Evelyn B. Johnson
Located in Long Island City, NY
This abstract screenprint was created in 1981 by American Optical artist Evelyn B. Johnson. It is signed and numbered 17/25 in pencil, and the plate size is 25.5 x 25.5 inches. It is...
Screen
Sunburst, Acrylic on Paper by Jules Engel
By Jules Engel
Located in Long Island City, NY
Sunburst Jules Engel Hungarian/American (1909–2003) Date: 1970 Acrylic on Paper Size: 18 x 12 in. (45.72 x 30.48 cm)
Acrylic
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
Faces of Dali #3, Yvaral
By Yvaral (Jean-Pierre Vasarely)
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yvaral, Jean-Pierre Vasarely (1934-2002) Title: Faces of Dali #3 Year: 1977 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches paper Edition: IV/XX, 200, plus proofs Size: 34.75 x 24.375 inches Co...
Screen
Rainbow Waves, Op Art Screenprint by Jurgen Peters
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jurgen Peters, German (1936 - ) Title: Rainbow Waves Year: 1981 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 250, AP 30 Image Size: 18.5 x 34 inches Size...
Screen
Faith, 1982, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson
By Barry Nelson
Located in Long Island City, NY
Faith Barry Nelson, British/American (1937) Date: 1982 Etching with Aquatint on Arches, signed, titled, numbered and dated in pencil Edition of AP Image Size: 29.5 x 20.25 inches Siz...
Etching, Aquatint
Let It Be Orange Screen Print, Op Art Style, Circa 1880, Signed H.C.
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Signed in pencil lower right Published by Eugene Schuster, London Art Printer: Vistec, Rochester, New York Regular edition unrealized per Stanczak web site This annotated "H.C." ...
Screen
Ducalion I, 1983, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson
By Barry Nelson
Located in Long Island City, NY
Ducalion I Barry Nelson, British/American (1937) Date: 1983 Etching with Aquatint on Arches, signed, titled, numbered and dated in pencil Edition of AP Image Size: 20.25 x 29.5 inche...
Aquatint, Etching
Paralax V, 1980, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson
By Barry Nelson
Located in Long Island City, NY
Paralax V Barry Nelson, British/American (1937) Date: 1980 Etching with Aquatint on Arches, signed, titled, numbered and dated in pencil Edition of 22/30 Image Size: 20.25 x 29.5 inc...
Etching, Aquatint
Conferring Blue, Op Art Screenprint by Julian Stanczak
Located in Long Island City, NY
A colorful OP Art silkscreen by Poland-born American OP Artist, Julian Stanczak. Artist: Julian Stanczak, American (1928 - 2017) Title: Conferring Blue Year: 1981 Medium: Screenpr...
Screen
"Starry Night" Infinity Lit Cabinet
Located in Astoria, NY
Stanley Landsman (American, 1930-1984) "Starry Night" [Infinity Lit Cabinet] Electrified Light Box Sculpture, composed of fountain pens, light bulbs, and mirrored glass, mounted on e...
Glass, Mirror, Lights, Pen
Three to Compare
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Three to Compare From: Twelve Progressions Signed and numbered in pencil Commissioned by Martha Jackson Graphics Printer: Domberger, Stuttgart, Germany Their drystamp lower right cor...
Screen
Egg 2 (Purple), Abstract Geometric Screenprint by Kyohei Inukai
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Kyohei Inukai, American (1913 - 1985) Title: Egg 2 (Purple) Year: circa 1970 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 45 Image Size: 20 x 26 inches Size: 2...
Screen
Force Field (Purple), Screenprint by Kyohei Inukai
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Kyohei Inukai, American (1913 - 1985) Title: Force Field (Purple) Year: circa 1970 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 50 Image Size: 21 x 25 inches S...
Screen
Pinwheel, Framed OP Art Geometric Abstract Screenprint by Jurgen Peters
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jurgen Peters, German (1936 - ) Title: Pinwheel Year: 1980 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 14/250 Image Size: 24 x 24 inches Size: 27 in. x...
Screen
$280Sale Price|20% Off
An American Portrait, 1976, Yaacov Agam
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: AFter Yaakov Agam (1928) Title: An American Portrait, exhibition poster Year: 1976 Medium: Offset Lithograph on wove paper Size: 27.75 x 19.25 inches Condition: Excellent Not...
Lithograph, Offset
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Conferring Blue, Julian Stanczak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Julian Stanczak (1928-2017) Title: Conferring Blue Year: 1979 Edition: 66/175, plus proofs Medium: Silkscreen on Somerset paper Size: 25 x 25 inches Condition: Good Inscripti...
Screen
Geometric Composition, Op Art Screenprint by Robert Tucker
Located in Long Island City, NY
Robert Tucker - Geometric Composition, Year: circa 1975, Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 105/200, Image Size: 30 x 30 inches...
Screen
Fall, Signed Colorful Rainbow OP Art by James Norman
By James Norman
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: James Norman, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Fall Year: 1981 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 34/50 Image Size: 22 x 32 inches Size: 25 x 38 in. (63...
Screen
$1,200
Fifth Dimension, 3-D Geometric Abstract Screenprint Collage by Anne Youkeles
Located in Long Island City, NY
This serigraph was created by Austrian-American artist Anne Youkeles. She has said that her work has benefited from the permissiveness that has encouraged artists to follow their cre...
Screen
Sixties, Geometric Abstract Screenprint by Takaaki Matsumoto
Located in Long Island City, NY
A geometric abstract print by Japanese artist Takaaki Matsumoto. Sixties Takaaki Matsumoto, Japanese (1954) Date: 1991 Screenprint Edition of 68 Size: 24 x 24 in. (60.96 x 60.96 cm)
Screen
Spectral Image IV, Rainbow OP Art Screenprint by James Norman
By James Norman
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: James Norman, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Spectral Image IV Year: 1980 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 67/95 Image Size: 7 x 36 inches Size: 25 ...
Screen
Oscillation II, Rainbow OP Art Screenprint by James Norman
By James Norman
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: James Norman, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Oscillation II Year: 1980 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 38/95 Image Size: 10 x 32 inches Size: 25 x ...
Screen
Filtration
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Artist: Julian Stanczak Title: Filtration Year: 1978-80 Medium: Screen print Signature: Hand signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 175 Size: 25.5 x 25.5 in
Screen
Olkia-1
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Olkia-1 Color lithograph, 1962 Signed dated and numbered in lower margin Edition: 80 (32/80) Condition: Very good. White pigment appears to have been added along the border of the ov...
Lithograph