Self-taught French artist Francois Morellet was a man ahead of his time. Because he was quietly working away in his hometown, his abstract paintings, prints, sculptures and installations didn't garner much attention until later in his life. But once they did, Morellet's use of geometry, neon lighting and kinetic potential was on trend with the day’s contemporary art sensibilities and his work would be associated with Conceptualism as well as Op art, which saw artists producing intense visual experiences by drawing on and evolving methods developed by movements such as Abstract Expressionism and Impressionism.
Morellet was born in Cholet, France, which he called home for his entire life. While he left briefly to study literature in Paris, he returned to head his family's toy factory. Running a successful business gave Morellet the time and opportunity to focus on his art.
He began creating figurative paintings in the 1940s but pivoted to abstraction in the 1950s. His inspiration included the work of architect and designer Max Bill, which he encountered on a trip to Brazil, and the decorative Islamic art he saw in Alhambra, Spain.
In the early 1960s, Morellet became a founding member of the collaborative artists collective Groupe de Recherche d’Art Visuel (GRAV). The experimental group created dynamic art that required the viewer's active engagement. In 1964, GRAV exhibited at Documenta in Kassel, Germany, where Morellet went on to appear twice as a solo artist.
Morellet had his first showing to American audiences in 1965 at the Museum of Modern Art, in New York, followed by an exhibition at the Venice Biennale in 1970. He exhibited around the world for the rest of his career, always returning to Cholet.
In 1991, as part of a collection for Tecno curated by Valeria Borsani in part to pay tribute to her father, celebrated iconic designer and Tecno founder Osvaldo Borsani, Morellet collaborated with his eldest son, Frédéric, to create the brand’s Détabilisation tables. These sculptural minimalist furnishings are made of glass, painted cast aluminum and satin-finished stainless steel and look as though they’re going to collapse at any moment.
A prolific artist throughout his life, Morellet celebrated his 90th birthday on April 30, 2016, by launching a string of shows in London and Brazil. While planning those exhibitions, he told Wallpaper magazine: "I often said that in the past, I considered that my work was widely underestimated and that today it is probably overestimated."
Morellet passed away in May of that year, doing what he loved. Today, his work is held in the collections at the Centre Pompidou, the Museum of Modern Art, the Seoul Museum of Art, the Kunsthaus Zurich and many more prestigious institutions.
On 1stDibs, find Francois Morellet prints, paintings, mixed media and more.
Op Art : Geometrical Abstraction - Original etching with aquatint
By Francois Morellet
Located in Paris, IDF
François MORELLET Op Art : Geometrical Abstraction Original etching with aquatint Unsigned as issued On vellum 46 x 46 cm (c. 18 x 18 in) Authenticated with the Chalcographie du Louvre...
Etching, Aquatint
François Morellet, Untitled - 1972, Signed Print, Geometric Abstraction, Op Art
By Francois Morellet
Located in Hamburg, DE
François Morellet (French, 1926-2016) Untitled (from 6. Kölner Kunstmarkt 72), 1972 Medium: Screenprint on paper Edition of 180: Hand-signed Dimensions: 45 x 65 cm Condition: Excellent
Screen
$50,000Sale Price|20% Off
SPHERE-TRAME (SCULPTURE)
By Francois Morellet
Located in Aventura, FL
Sphère-trame, 1962. Welded steel rods, stainless steel. 13.75 x 13.75 x 13.75 inches. This work is from an edition of 100 (the edition was not fully executed). Artwork is in excellen...
Steel
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
François Morellet Signed Limited Edition Silkscreen Print Chartres Vert Orange
By Francois Morellet
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
François Morellet – Chartres – vert orange, 1973 This original signed and numbered limited edition silkscreen print by François Morellet (1926–2016) was created in 1973 and printed ...
PVC, Paint, Paper
Almir Mavignier Poster for Morellet/Adrian Show at Studio F
By Almir da Silva Mavingier, Francois Morellet, Studio F
Located in New York, NY
Silkscreened poster for a show of work by avant-garde artists Francois Morellet and Marc Adrian, held at Mark Fried’s Studio f in Ulm in April, 1961. Poster design by Brazilian/Germ...
Metal
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
François Morellet 40, 000 Carres
By Francois Morellet
Located in Chicago, IL
François Morellet 40,000 Carres, Screenprint in two colors. Signed and numbered to lower edges ‘282/300 Morellet’. This work is number 282 from the edition of 300 published by Éditio...
Paper
$1,960Sale Price|20% Off
Geometric Abstract Screenprint from 9x5 Konkret Portfolio by Francois Morellet
By Francois Morellet
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Francois Morellet, French (1926 - 2016) Title: untitled from 9x5 Konkret Portfolio Year: 1973 Medium: Screenprint on PVC foil, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 25/200 S...
PVC, Screen
Francois Morellet, Zwei Interferenz Schnitte, minimal sculpture, signed & dated
By Francois Morellet
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Stunning and rare work by one of the leading artists of the 20th century. This work is only produced in a limited edition of 30, each signed by Morellet. Two other examples of this ...
Wood
Sphère tram by François Morellet
By Francois Morellet
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
François Charles Alexis Albert Morellet naît à Cholet[1] où son grand-père maternel, Alexis Guérineau[2], fondateur d'une société de jouets et voitures d'enfants, a été maire de 1919...
Metal
$10,592
François Morellet, Trames: Portfolio of 8 Signed Screenprints, Abstract Art
By Francois Morellet
Located in Hamburg, DE
François Morellet (French, 1926-2016) Trames Portfolio, 1965 Medium: 8 screenprints on cardboard Dimensions: 62 × 62 cm (24 2/5 × 24 2/5 in) Edition of 125: Each serigraph hand signe...
Screen
Untitled
By Francois Morellet
Located in London, GB
François Morellet Untitled , 1955-1975 Signed and dated in the lower right corner Screenprint 69.0 x 69.0 cm François Morellet embraced impersonal, geometric forms and a sense of de...
Screen
Untitled
By Francois Morellet
Located in London, GB
François Morellet Untitled , 1970's-1990's Signed and dated bottom right hand corner of each work Full Set of 4 ScreenPrints 80.0 x 80.0 cm Share François Morellet embraced imperso...
Screen
Screenprint of 50% Blue & 50% Black Squares by François Morellet, 1971
By Francois Morellet
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
François Morellet’s *Répartition aléatoire de 40000 carrés selon les chiffres pairs et impairs d’un annuaire de téléphone* (1971) is an 80 x 80 cm screenprint that masterfully combin...
Paper
Screenprint of 50% Yellow & 50% White Squares by François Morellet, 1971
By Francois Morellet
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
François Morellet’s *Répartition aléatoire de 40000 carrés selon les chiffres pairs et impairs d’un annuaire de téléphone* (1971) is an 80 x 80 cm screenprint featuring a striking in...
Paper
Screenprint of 50% Green & 50% Orange Squares by François Morellet, 1971
By Francois Morellet
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
François Morellet’s *Répartition aléatoire de 40000 carrés selon les chiffres pairs et impairs d’un annuaire de téléphone* (1971) is an 80 x 80 cm screenprint featuring a vibrant com...
Paper
$564 / item
H 18.9 in W 15.36 in D 0.04 in
DESENHO – Silkscreen Print, Limited Edition by Álvaro Siza Vieira
By Alvaro Siza
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Desenho (Man Painting) - The painting shows someone who begins a drawing, looking on the paper with a pen in the hand. Álvaro Siza describes the very special moment of taking the decision to make a painting, facing the white paper. A reproduction of his situation, doing this series of paintings: not knowing what to do until the decision to draw was being made. Then the idea of mythology came to his mind. “It is, in some way, an expression of my personal moment making drawings. But it is not a self-portrait, I am quite different than this man. It is not a specific person on purpose, because everyone makes drawings. Maybe not everyone does it, but everyone could do it.” Álvaro Siza started drawing at the age of six. With a great variety of drawings on his portfolio, many of them are inspired by mythology and historic scenes. “The drawings are what came to my mind in this very moment. I like mythology and expressing the stories in images. I have made a lot of mythological drawing...
Paper
$1,400
H 7 in W 5 in D 0.1 in
Jean François Millet (French, 1814-1875), "La Couseuse", Etching on Laid Paper
By Jean François Millet
Located in Morristown, NJ
Jean François Millet (French, 1814–1875) La Couseuse (The Seamstress), circa 1855 Etching in dark brown ink on laid paper A quietly powerful etching by the renowned French Realist J...
Paper
$1,695
H 24 in W 29.25 in D 1.25 in
Kiyoshi Saito Signed Limited Edition Japanese Woodblock Print Bisyamonten, Kyoto
By Kiyoshi Saitō
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautifully designed and composed woodblock print by famed Japanese printmaker Kiyoshi Saito. Many consider Saito to be one of the most important, if not the most important, contem...
Paper
K. Trumpf, Limited Edition Signed Print Titled Levade
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Print With Lippezaner Horses And Riders In Vienna Titled "Levade" lower left. Pencil signed lower right, numbered 175/299 lower left. Finely framed in gilt wood. sight 17 x 22 3/4", ...
Paper, Glass, Wood
$3,000
H 31 in W 23.5 in D 1.13 in
Christo, Texas Mastra Project for 500, 000 Stacked Oil Drums, Signed Lithograph
By Christo and Jeanne-Claude
Located in St. Louis, MO
Christo (1935-2020) Bulgarian. The TEXAS MASTABA, PROJECT FOR 500,000 STACKED OIL DRUMS (S. 85), 1976, color lithograph & screenprint collage on 1/8” brown board, signed and numbered...
Acrylic, Paper
$2,495
H 21.25 in W 31.5 in D 1 in
Clifton Karhu Signed Limited Edition Japanese Woodblock Print "Kamigano"
By Clifton Karhu
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, large woodblock print by American master printmaker Clifton Karhu who lived in Japan for over 50 years. Karhu's work gained great e...
Paper
$4,762
H 39.38 in W 27.96 in D 0.04 in
Original Vintage Australian Airline Travel Poster for Qantas - At Your Command!
By Mandson
Located in London, GB
Original vintage travel advertising poster for Qantas super service at your command! Australia's international airline Qantas Empire Airways Ltd in association with British Overseas Airways Corporation BOAC and Tasman Empire Airways Ltd. Great mid century illustration featuring a smartly dressed smiling lady walking past a line of Qantas cabin crew wearing blue uniform with suitcases bearing luggage labels on the side, a man in a brown suit and hat following her and more passengers disembarking a Qantas Lockheed Constellation plane with an Australian flag...
Paper
$325
H 24 in W 24 in D 1.5 in
Outgoing Tide, Signed Contemporary Neutral Minimalist Abstract Digital Painting
Located in Boston, MA
Outgoing Tide, Signed Contemporary Neutral Abstract Digital Painting 24" x 24" x 1.5" (HxWxD) Archival Print on Canvas Hand-signed by the artist in verso. This square format digital...
Canvas, Digital, Archival Pigment
Concert Poster of Sun Ra at Larrys Hideaway
Located in Long Island City, NY
Concert poster of Sun Ra on tour at Larry's Hideaway in Ontario, Canada, in September 1983.
Wood, Paper
$326
H 15.75 in W 11.82 in D 0.12 in
Hand Painted One of One Artist's Proof-Sunset Song Blue -British Awarded Artist
Located in London, GB
This one of one unique Artist's proof is 80% hand painted by artist Shizico Yi on Giclee made on Aluminium, the original paints are hand mixed by the artist. It is the only hand pai...
Metal
$6,096
H 28.75 in Dm 13.39 in
Close to Heart 1 & 2 - Wood sculpture by Zlata Kornilova
Located in Paris, FR
Sculpture Close to Heart 1 & 2 Limited edition of 12 (each sculpture) Dimensions: - Close to heart 1 (black): H. 73. x D. 34 cm - Close to heart 2 (natural): H. 82. x D. 22 cm Medi...
Steel
$2,995
H 28.25 in W 28.25 in D 1 in
Sister Mary Corita Kent Signed Limited Edition Large Abstract Serigraph Print
By Corita Kent
Located in Studio City, CA
Known as God's own Pop artist, Sister Mary Corita Kent went straight from high school into Catholic convent life in 1936. While serving her order and teaching art at Immaculate Heart...
Paper
Sold
H 14.38 in W 14.38 in D 0.08 in
Intersecting Lines - Plate 3 - Screen Print by François Morellet - 1975
By Francois Morellet
Located in Roma, IT
Intersecting Lines - Plate 3 is an original artwork realized by François Morellet in 1975. Black and white screen print. Hand-signed by the artist on the back of the artwork. Numbe...
Screen
Sold
H 18.12 in W 18.12 in
Op Art : Geometrical Abstraction - Original etching with aquatint
By Francois Morellet
Located in Paris, IDF
François MORELLET Op Art : Geometrical Abstraction Original etching with aquatint Unsigned as issued On vellum 46 x 46 cm (c. 18 x 18 in) Authenticated with the Chalcographie du Lo...
Etching, Aquatint
Sold
H 14.38 in W 14.38 in D 0.08 in
Intersecting Lines - Plate 4 - Original Screen Print by François Morellet - 1975
By Francois Morellet
Located in Roma, IT
Intersecting Lines - Plate 4 is an original artwork realized by François Morellet in 1975. Black and white serighraph. Hand-signed by the artist on the back of the artwork. Numberd...
Screen
Sold
H 14.38 in W 14.38 in D 0.08 in
Intersecting Lines - Plate 2 - Original Screen Print by François Morellet - 1975
By Francois Morellet
Located in Roma, IT
Intersecting Lines - Plate 2 is an original artwork realized by François Morellet in 1975. Black and white serighraph. Hand-signed by the artist on the back of the artwork. Numberd...
Screen
Sold
H 14.38 in W 14.38 in D 0.08 in
Intersecting Lines - Plate 1 - Original Screen Print by François Morellet - 1975
By Francois Morellet
Located in Roma, IT
Intersecting Lines - Plate 1 is an original artwork realized by François Morellet in 1975. Black and white serighraph. Hand-signed by the artist on the back of the artwork. Numberd...
Screen
Sold
H 40 in W 40 in D 1 in
Framed Screenprint Lithograph Signed Numbered by Francois Morellet 40, 000 Canes
By Francois Morellet
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a funky, framed piece of orange and green pop art, signed and numbered by Francois Morellet, 132/300. In excellent condition. The dimensions are 40" Sq.
Mid-Century Modern Francois Morellet Sphere Table Sculpture, 1960s, Paris
By Francois Morellet
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is an incredible sphere table sculpture, on a clear Lucite stand, by François Morellet. Parisian sculpter and painter from the 1960s. François Morellet born 1926 Paris, died...
François Morellet Sphère Trame, Spherical Framework
By Francois Morellet
Located in Munster, NRW
Franc¸ois Morellet (1926-2016) "Sphe`re-trame" 1962 steel sculpture Provenance: Galerie Denise Rene´ Paris, France. Measures: Height 44 cm, diameter 44 cm There are two loose Connec...
Stainless Steel
François Morellet Circular Steel Sculpture, "Sphère-Trame"
By Francois Morellet
Located in Paris, FR
François Morellet (b. 1926) "Sphère-trame" 1962 Steel sculpture Provenance : Galerie Denise René, Paris, France Height : 13.7 in./35 cm, Diameter : 13.7 in./35 cm
Steel