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.
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
Gold Leaf and Mesh Lithograph
By Patricia A. Pearce
Located in Soquel, CA
Stunning horizontal abstracted mesh and gold-leaf lithograph on heavy bond paper with artist's protocol notes (for future projects) by Patricia A. Pearce (American, b. 1948). Unsigne...
Gold Leaf
$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
$327
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
$381
H 15.75 in W 11.82 in D 0.12 in
Hand Painted Proof, One off-Jardin d'Automne-British Awarded Artist-gladiolus
Located in London, GB
This is an One of One artits's Proof, hand painted by the artist Shizico with her hand mixed original paint. Rare Proof only one, highly collectable within an attractive offer. Abo...
Metal
$750
H 10 in W 8 in
No. 4: Small Abstract Expressionist Monotype in Navy Blue, Soft Yellow & Green
By Jenny Nelson
Located in Hudson, NY
Small abstract expressionist style monotype in navy blue, green, light violet, and soft yellow 'Untitled 4' by Jenny Nelson Monotype, mad...
Oil, Archival Paper, Monoprint
$286
H 15.75 in W 11.82 in D 0.12 in
蘭 Orchids in Purple Mists-hand painted Limited Edition #3 of 10-British Artist
Located in London, GB
This is a rare hand-painted Limited Edition by contemporary artist Shizico Yi, created on a deluxe matte-finish giclée aluminium panel. Each edition is 90% hand-painted with Shizico’...
Metal
Unavailable|$518
H 39.38 in W 27.56 in D 0.04 in
Hand Painted LimitedEdition#3-London St.Paul Sakura-Large-British Awarded Artist
Located in London, GB
This is a hand painted large Limited Edition, truly brings impact to your space ,wowing the visitors and delight your daily life with its scale and hand painted detail. ( 90% of the image is hand painted by artist, shizico yi) - Limited Edition of Five only. This is the 3rd of the five , #3 of 5; it is offered as an alternative to this original piece, highly collectible. About the Painting The painting captures two major spring trees in the artist’s garden, painted plein-air in the garden for three days, later on, Shizico Yi added the important locations of London that are dear to her memories; in this painting St Paul...
Archival Paper, Giclée, Gesso, Oil, Acrylic
$350
H 32 in W 24 in D 1.5 in
Under the Illusion, Signed Contemporary Blue Abstract Digital Painting Print
Located in Boston, MA
Under the Illusion, Original Signed Contemporary Blue Abstract Digital Painting 32" x 24" x 1.5" (HxWxD) Archival Print on Canvas Hand-signed by the artist in verso. This abstract digital painting by artist Denise Dundon...
Canvas, Digital, Archival Pigment
$1,320Sale Price|20% Off
H 36 in W 24 in D 0.25 in
Abstract Figurative Textured Monoprint
By David Stephens
Located in Soquel, CA
Vibrant and dynamic monoprint by David Stephens (American, 20th Century). Sand (or a similar medium) was used in the pressing of this monoprint, creating a pocked texture in multiple...
Paper, Mixed Media, Oil
$312Sale Price|52% Off
H 13 in W 19 in
Untitled Sailboat Lithograph, Abstract Style, Signed, Mid-20th Century
By Jean Le Moal
Located in Belgrade, MT
Color lithograph, pencil signed by artist, limited edition. ean Le Moal ( French, 1909-2007) was a French painter, watercolorist, and printmaker known for his colorful abstract compo...
Lithograph
$650
H 15 in W 11 in
Abstract Expressionist Modernist Coral Grey Monoprint Monotype Painting Print
By Pierre Obando
Located in Surfside, FL
Pierre Andre Obando creates process oriented abstract paintings. He was born in Belize City, Belize and grew up in the Caribbean, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Miami, Fl and Jackson, MS. ...
Monoprint, Monotype
$590
H 12 in W 19 in
Mid-20th Century Signed Abstract Expressionist Nature Morte Lithograph
By Michel Rodde
Located in Belgrade, MT
This lithograph is part of my private collection since 1970's. It is pencil signed by the artist and numbered 198/220. Guilde del la Gravure .
Lithograph