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Jesús Rafael Soto Art

1923-2005

Venezuelan Op and kinetic painter and sculptor Jesús Rafael Soto (1923–2007) is perhaps best known for his immersive installations, which respond to their environments and physically absorb the viewer in a dynamic sensory experience.

The exploration of space is central to Soto’s work. This is evident in his early paintings, of the 1950s, which create the illusion of movement through simple compositions and a limited palette. During the same period, he integrated industrial materials like nylon and steel into linear constructions that were part painting, part sculpture.

But Rafael Soto’s grandest and most enigmatic creations are his “Pénétrables.” Made up of thousands of long clear or colored plastic strands suspended from the ceiling or from free-standing steel or PVC frames, these geometric sculptures play with the perception of space, inviting viewers to act as participants by moving within and through them.

The strips of some of the installations were partly painted, forming shapes when seen from a distance. The Houston Penetrable (2014), at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, for instance, appears to hold a floating yellow ellipse.

Rafael Soto created 25 “Pénétrables” over the course of his career. Each further blurred the line between reality and illusion and established viewers as not just spectators but as integral parts of the artwork itself.

Shop Jesús Rafael Soto's art now at 1stDibs.

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Red virtual square on the right
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Paris, FR
Silksreen, 1981 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 83/190 Catalog : [Prent 190] 60.00 cm. x 60.00 cm. 23.62 in. x 23.62 in. (paper) 46.00 cm. x 53.00 cm. 18.11 in. x 2...
Category

1980s Abstract Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Silk

Biface, Mixed Media Kinetic Op Art Sculpture by Jesus Rafael Soto
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Long Island City, NY
Biface Jesus Rafael Soto, Venezuelan (1923 - 2005) Year: 1973 Medium: Color screenprint on black and blue painted metal panel, in front of this black and blue painted metal rods atta...
Category

1970s Op Art Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Metal

Composition 1996
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Composition 1996 Silkscreen in colors on Arches paper 21.7 x 29.5 in (55 x 75 cm) Editioned upper left and signed upper right Edition of 99 Jesús Rafael Soto was born on June 5, 19...
Category

1960s Abstract Geometric Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Paris, FR
Silksreen, 1970 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 63/145 70.00 cm. x 50.00 cm. 27.56 in. x 19.69 in. (paper) 44.30 cm. x 44.50 cm. 17.44 in. x 17.52 in. (image) The V...
Category

1970s Abstract Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Silk

MIROIRS D'ARTISTE (3D WALL SCULPTURE)
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Aventura, FL
Mirrored glass and silkscreened plexiglass wall sculpture. Incised artist signature and edition on verso. From the EA edition of 20 (there is also the main edition of 99). Artwork...
Category

Late 20th Century Contemporary Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Mirror, Plexiglass, Screen

Jai Alai Suite Ed47 of 300
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Jai Alai Suite” 1969 Perspex, nylon thread, and steel Ed 47 of 300 19 x 6 x 6 in
Category

1960s Kinetic Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Steel

Petite Vibration Brique et Noir
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Petite Vibration Brique et Noir (1966) Painted wood with a painted metal rod and nylon thread Edition Galerie Bischofberger, Zurich Ed. 16 / 35 20 x 18 x 18 in Provenance: Galerie Elke Dröscher, Hamburg Galerie Meißner, Hamburg (1976) Private collection, Baden-Württemberg Lempertz Auction. Contemporary Art...
Category

1960s Op Art Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Metal

Untitled (From the Sotomagie Portfolio), 1967
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Untitled (From the Sotomagie Portfolio), 1967 Denise Rene Editeur, Paris Based on Soto's Work Rotation, 1952, Oil on Plywood Silkscreen 23 7/8 x 23 7/8 in (60.5 x 60.5 cm) Editioned ...
Category

1960s Abstract Geometric Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Lithograph

Serie Madrid B, 1990
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Jesus Soto (1923-2005) Serie Madrid B, 1990 Denise Rene Editeur, Paris (with Denise Rene's blind-stamp) Screen print in heavy paper 59 x 45.3 in (150 x 115 cm) Professionally framed...
Category

1960s Abstract Geometric Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Screen

Untitled
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Jesus Rafael Soto “Untitled” Serigraph Ed. 7 of 200 24 ½ x 24 ½ in Provenance: Roland Auction, New York. Estates sale. 27 March 2021, lot #0515.
Category

Late 20th Century Kinetic Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled (From the Sotomagie Portfolio), 1967
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Untitled (From the Sotomagie Portfolio), 1967 Denise Rene Editeur, Paris (Based on Soto's Work Répétition et Progression, 1951, Oil on Plywood) Silkscreen 23 7/8 x 23 7/8 in (60.5 x ...
Category

1960s Abstract Geometric Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Jesus Rafael Soto “Untitled” Lithograph Ed. 63 of 120 29 x 23 in
Category

20th Century Kinetic Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Lithograph

Quadrato
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Jesus Rafael Soto (1923-2005) Quadrato 1974 Editions Denise Rene 46 of 75 Acrylic/aluminum with painted metal rods 17,5 x 15,7 x 12,5 in Signed and dated Provenance: Editions Galeri...
Category

1970s Op Art Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Metal

Vibrations Metalliques
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Jesús Rafael Soto (1923-2005) was a Venezuelan artist and key figure of Kinetic Art and Op Art, best known for his large-scale sculptures. After completing his artistic training at...
Category

1960s Abstract Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Metal

Composition 1
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Paris, FR
Silksreen, 1973 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 69/95 Publisher : Malbotough Graphics, New York 80.00 cm. x 80.00 cm. 31.5 in. x 31.5 in. (paper) 65.00 cm. x 65.00...
Category

1970s Abstract Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Silk

Mirroire d'Artiste
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jesus Rafael Soto, Venezuelan (1923 - 2005) Title: Mirroire d'Artiste Year: 2005 Medium: Mirrored Glass and Silkscreened Plexiglass Wall Sculpture, signature and number ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Op Art Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Metal

Jesus Rafael Soto Book Inscribed to Dore Ashton
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in New York, NY
Large format first edition monograph on blue-chip Kinetic artist Jesus Rafael Soto, published by Editions du Griffon in 1984. Inscribed in a bold han...
Category

1980s Swiss Kinetic Vintage Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Paper

Ovalo Verde, OP Art Kinetic Screenprint by Jesus Rafael Soto
By Jesús 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. ...
Category

1980s Op Art Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Screen

Jesús Rafael Soto (1923-2005) - Araya - Color serigraphy on paper, 1974
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Varese, IT
Color serigraphy on paper, edited in 1974 Limited edition of 100 copies, signed in pencil by artist in lower right corner and numbered as: EA ( épreuve d'artiste ) ( artist proof ) ...
Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Paper, Screen

Hannover
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Jesus Rafael Soto "Hannover" 1970 Color silkscreen on transparent plexiglass panel, metal rods on nylon threads. It has the original box. 7 x 21 x 5 in Ed. 170 of 200 Provenance: Va...
Category

1970s Kinetic Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Metal

La Escalera Azul, de la serie Sintesis
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
La Escalera Azul, de la serie Sintesis 1979 Plexiglas and metal Ed 37 of 110 20 x 14 x 5 in Literature: Museo Guggenheim Bilbao. “Soto. The Fourth dimension”. Catalogue published on...
Category

1970s Op Art Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Metal

Jai Alai Suite
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
JESUS RAFAEL SOTO Jai-Alai Suite: Multiple I, 1969 Plexiglass in white, blue, yellow, screen-print in black, nylon thread and steel. 25 1/8 x 21 1/2 x 7 3/4 in Ed. 15 / 300 Provenan...
Category

20th Century Kinetic Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Steel

Ovalo en el Rojo Edition 78/110
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Jesús Rafael Soto was a Venezuelan artist known for his kinetic sculptures and large-scale installations. Like Alexander Calder and George Rickey, Soto’s delicate and responsive constructions react to external stimuli and changes in the atmosphere, as seen in his work Penetrable (1990). “Artistic creation is a force which should preferably be directed towards the exploration of space, of the universe, of the infinite realities which surround us, but of which we are hardly conscious,” Soto once mused. Born on June 5, 1923 in Cuidad Bolívar, Venezuela, he studied at the Escuela des artes plásticas in Caracas from 1942–1947 and later served as the director of the Escuela de bellas artes in Maracaibo, Venezuela until his move to Europe in 1950. Settling in Paris, he associated with the Op Art artists Victor Vasarely and Yaacov Agam, as well as members of the ZERO group such as Otto Piene, Jean Tinguely, and Heinz Mack. In 1973, the Museo de arte modern Jesús...
Category

20th Century Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Metal

Untitled (from the Jai-Alai Series) 1969
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Untitled (from the Jai-Alai Series) 1969 wood, paint, metal and nylon thread signed and numbered ‘SOTO, 31/300’ (on the base) published by Marlborough Gallery, New York. Jesús Rafael Soto was a Venezuelan artist known for his kinetic sculptures and large-scale installations. Like Alexander Calder and George Rickey, Soto’s delicate and responsive constructions react to external stimuli and changes in the atmosphere, as seen in his work Penetrable (1990). “Artistic creation is a force which should preferably be directed towards the exploration of space, of the universe, of the infinite realities which surround us, but of which we are hardly conscious,” Soto once mused. Born on June 5, 1923 in Cuidad Bolívar, Venezuela, he studied at the Escuela des artes plásticas in Caracas from 1942–1947 and later served as the director of the Escuela de bellas artes in Maracaibo, Venezuela until his move to Europe in 1950. Settling in Paris, he associated with the Op Art artists Victor Vasarely and Yaacov Agam, as well as members of the ZERO group such as Otto Piene, Jean Tinguely, and Heinz Mack. In 1973, the Museo de arte modern Jesús...
Category

20th Century Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Metal

Expo 60 - ARC Musee D'Art Moderne Ville De Paris
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
TECHNICAL INFORMATION Jesus Rafael Soto Expo 60 - ARC Musee D'Art Moderne Ville De Paris 1969 Screenprint on Cardboard 27 1/2 x 18 1/2 in. Edition of 1000 Signed on bottom right, si...
Category

1960s Kinetic Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Mixed Media, Cardboard, Screen

Vibrations Metalliques
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Jesus Rafael Soto (June 5, 1923 - January 14, 2005, Venezuelan) Vibrations Metalliques 1969 painted metal with metal rod with nylon string 10 3/4 x 11 3/4 x 5...
Category

1960s Kinetic Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Metal

Jesús Rafael Soto, Quadrato, 1974, Edition Denise René. Ed. 32/75
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Jesús Rafael Soto Quadrato 1974 Edition Denise René. Ed. 32/75 Acrylic on aluminum with painted metal rods 45.7 x 40 x 32 cm 17.9 x 15.7 x 12.5 in. Jesús Rafael Soto (1923 - 2005) ...
Category

1970s Kinetic Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Mixed Media

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Previously Available Items
Serie Sintesis, Mixed Media Op Art Sculpture by Jesus Rafael Soto
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Long Island City, NY
Serie Sintesis Jesus Rafael Soto, Venezuelan (1923–2005) Date: 1979 Screenprint on Plexiglass and Metal Rods Edition of 36/110 Size: 11.8 x 27.5 x 5 in. (29.97 x 69.85 x 12.7 cm) Pub...
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1970s Op Art Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Metal

Composition 1996
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Composition 1996 Silkscreen in colors on Arches paper 21.7 x 29.5 in (55 x 75 cm) Editioned upper left and signed upper right Edition of 99 Jesús Rafael Soto was born on June 5, 19...
Category

1960s Abstract Geometric Jesús Rafael Soto Art

Materials

Lithograph

Jesús Rafael Soto ( 1923 – 2005 ) – Composition – hand-signed serigraphy – 1970
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Varese, IT
color serigraphy on paper, edited in 1970 limited edition signed in pencil by artist and numbered as: 169/190 in lower right paper size: 60 x 60 cm very good conditions, with strong ...
Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Jesús Rafael Soto Art

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Paper, Screen

Jesús Rafael Soto ( 1923 – 2005 ) – Composition – hand-signed serigraphy – 1970
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Varese, IT
color serigraphy on paper, edited in 1970 limited edition signed in pencil by artist and numbered as: 154/190 in lower right paper size: 60 x 60 cm very good conditions, with strong ...
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1970s Abstract Geometric Jesús Rafael Soto Art

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Paper, Screen

Kinetic OP Art Silkscreen by Jesús Rafael Soto
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jesus Rafael Soto, Venezuelan (1923 - 2005) Title: Expo 60 - ARC Musee D'Art Moderne Ville De Paris Year: 1969 Medium: Screenprint, signed ...
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1960s Op Art Jesús Rafael Soto Art

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Screen

Jesus Rafael Soto Untitled from the Sotomagie Series Signed 1967 Op Art Framed
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An outstanding example of Op Art – a color serigraph with rhodoid screen by Jesus Rafael Soto. Hand signed in pencil on the bottom right corner. This artwork is from the artist’s Sot...
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1960s Vintage Jesús Rafael Soto Art

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Paper

Jesus Rafael Soto Untitled from the Sotomagie Series 'Yellow' Signed 1967 Op Art
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An outstanding example of Op Art – a color serigraph with rhodoid screen by Jesus Rafael Soto. Created in 1967. Hand signed in pencil on the bottom right corner. This artwork is from...
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1960s Vintage Jesús Rafael Soto Art

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Paper

Untitled (Olympic Centennial)
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color screenprint on Arches. Signed and numbered 58/250 in pencil. Published by Puma Trading, Paris, or Editiones Catalanes, Barcelona, for the Interna...
Category

1990s Op Art Jesús Rafael Soto Art

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Color, Screen

Untitled
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color screenprint on heavy white wove paper. Signed and numbered 8/100 in pencil. Published by Edition Domberger, Stuttgart, and Artists United for Nat...
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1990s Op Art Jesús Rafael Soto Art

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Color, Screen

Jesús Rafael Soto - Composition - Hand-Signed Serigraphy, 1978
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Varese, IT
Jesús Rafael Soto ( 1923 - 2005 ) - Composition - Hand-Signed Serigraphy, 1978 Additional Information: Material: Serigraphy on paper Limited edition...
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20th Century Jesús Rafael Soto Art

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Paper

Jesús Rafael Soto - Hand-Signed Relief Screenprint, 1985
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Varese, IT
Jesús Rafael Soto ( 1923 - 2005 ) - Hand-Signed Relief Screenprint, 1985 Additional Information: Material: Relief Screenprint on Fabriano paper Edit...
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20th Century Jesús Rafael Soto Art

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Jesús-Rafael Soto - Tes Azules Y Negras - Kinetic Sculpture, 1979
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Varese, IT
Jesús-Rafael Soto ( 1923 - 2005 ) - Tes Azules Y Negras - kinetic sculpture, 1979 Additional information: Material: Kinetic sculpture, edited in 1979, made with Screen printing on t...
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20th Century Kinetic Jesús Rafael Soto Art

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Jesús Rafael Soto art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Jesús Rafael Soto art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of purple and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Jesús Rafael Soto in screen print, metal, plastic and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Jesús Rafael Soto art, so small editions measuring 6 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Leon Polk Smith, Nicholas Krushenick, and Robyn Denny. Jesús Rafael Soto art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,997 and tops out at $70,000, while the average work can sell for $4,000.

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