British painter Bridget Riley’s visually spectacular abstractions seem far removed from natural forms. Riley, however, claims she draws inspiration for her paintings and prints largely from nature, which she defines as a “dynamism of visual forces — an event rather than an appearance.”
Indeed, dynamism characterizes her work, which explores how simple geometric forms can create illusions of movement.
Born in 1931, Riley first came to worldwide attention in 1965, when she was included, alongside such other prominent figures as Victor Vasarely and Frank Stella, in the exhibition “The Responsive Eye” at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. The catalogue cover featured one of her paintings, Current (1964), composed of wavy black and white lines that seem to vibrate as they move from the top to the bottom of the canvas.
Since the 1970s, Riley has been experimenting with color, creating works like Nataraja (1993), made up of columns of brightly hued diagonal stripes that seem to pulse rhythmically. By instilling life, movement and energy into flat, geometric forms, she helped pioneer kinetic art.
Browse a collection of Bridget Riley's visionary art at 1stDibs.
$2,800
B & W Photograph of Bridget Riley, 1964 (Hand Signed by Bridget Riley), Framed
By Bridget Riley
Located in New York, NY
Early black and white photograph of Bridget Riley smoking in front of her now iconic black and white works. The image was captured in 1964, a pivotal year just before she achieved in...
Photographic Paper
$500
H 20 in W 30 in
Michael Ochs 'Brigitte Bardot' Archival Photograph by Getty, 20 x 30
By Michael Ochs
Located in San Rafael, CA
Brigitte Bardot with cigarette in hand by photographer Michael Ochs, originally taken in 1962. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) As an authorized Getty Images Gallery partner, we...
Photographic Paper
$275
H 12 in W 16 in
Michael Ochs 'Brigitte Bardot' Archival Photograph by Getty, 12 x 16
By Michael Ochs
Located in San Rafael, CA
Brigitte Bardot with cigarette in hand by photographer Michael Ochs, originally taken in 1962. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) As an authorized Getty Images Gallery...
Photographic Paper
'Swan in Car' Archival Photograph by Getty Images Gallery, 16x20
Located in San Rafael, CA
April, 6 1936: A tame swan named Leila is given a lift in the back of a car. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images) As an authorized Getty Images Gallery...
Photographic Paper
'Cheetah Who Shops' Archival Photograph by Getty, 16 x 20
Located in San Rafael, CA
American silent film actress Phyllis Gordon (1889 - 1964) window-shopping in Earls Court, London with her four-year-old cheetah who was flown to Britain from Kenya. (Photo by B C Par...
Photographic Paper
$350
H 16 in W 20 in
Michael Ochs 'Brigitte Bardot' Archival Photograph by Getty, 16 x 20
By Michael Ochs
Located in San Rafael, CA
Brigitte Bardot with cigarette in hand by photographer Michael Ochs, originally taken in 1962. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) As an authorized Getty Images Gallery...
Photographic Paper
$375
H 20 in W 24 in
John Minihan 'Yves Saint Laurent' Archival Photograph by Getty, 20x24
By John Minihan
Located in San Rafael, CA
By photographer John Minihan, Yves Saint Laurent, French designer with two fashion models, Betty Catroux (left) and Loulou de la Falaise, outside his 'Riv...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$1,800
H 10 in W 12 in
Perkin Brothers At Boca Grande, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1990s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Thorne Perkin and his brother Christopher Perkin posing with two girls at Boca Grande, on Gasparil...
Emulsion, Photographic Paper, ABS, Black and White, Digital, Photogram
$700
H 30 in W 40 in
Michael Ochs 'Brigitte Bardot' Archival Photograph by Getty, 30 x 40
By Michael Ochs
Located in San Rafael, CA
Brigitte Bardot with cigarette in hand by photographer Michael Ochs, originally taken in 1962. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) As an authorized Getty Images Gallery partner, we...
Photographic Paper
'Tiger Lady' Archival Photograph by Getty Images 16x16
Located in San Rafael, CA
March 16, 1971: Air Stewardess Cynthia Robertson models the new uniform for National Airlines. A synthetic tiger skin number, the new uniform will be worn by over 1000 stewardesses....
Photographic Paper
$450
H 20 in W 20 in
Harry Benson 'Ali in Training' Archival Photograph by Getty, 20 x 20
By Harry Benson
Located in San Rafael, CA
American Heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), training in his gym, 21st May 1965. (Photo by Harry Benson/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) As an authorized Getty ...
Photographic Paper
$700
H 40 in W 30 in
Reg Lancaster 'Francoise Hardy' Archival Photograph by Getty, 30x40
By Reg Lancaster
Located in San Rafael, CA
1969: French singer, Francoise Hardy sitting on a motorbike. (Photo by Reg Lancaster/Express/Getty Images) As an authorized Getty Images Gallery partn...
Photographic Paper
$700
H 30 in W 30 in
Harry Benson 'Ali in Training' Archival Photograph by Getty, 30 x 30
By Harry Benson
Located in San Rafael, CA
American Heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), training in his gym, 21st May 1965. (Photo by Harry Benson/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) As an authorized Getty ...
Photographic Paper