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.
Caroni
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in New York, NY
Color screenprint on heavy white wove paper, 1971. Signed by the artist in pencil, lower right. Numbered 146/175 in pencil, lower left. Published by Denise René and Hans Meyer, Pa...
Screen, Color
Untitled #1, 1964 from New York Ten
By Mon Levinson
Located in New York, NY
This dynamic work was realized by the esteemed 20th Century modern artist Mon Levinson in 1964. The work was realized in 1964, and printed in 1965 by Chiron Press in New York- the same year that Levinson was included in the seminal Op-Art exhibition "The Responsive Eye", alongside contemporary luminaries such as Bridget Riley. An identical work from this edition resides in the permanent collection of the New York MoMA. This mixed media work consists of an translucent vinyl sheet layered over a print- part etching, part lithograph. The clear vinyl sheet is embossed with a tight pattern of sinuously curved repeating black lines and is subtly raised in places- creating a subtle three dimensionality and dynamic sense of movement. The paper is inscribed with the same recurring pattern of snaking black lines, like a fine filigree, with two weighty black geometric forms that appear to crowd the composition. Smaller geometric forms reside within creating the apparition of negative space in the bone hued paper. The juxtaposition of the delicate texture and colossal feeling forms imbues the piece with a stunning dynamism and tension, helping to explain why Levinson is among the most influential and important artist to come out of the Op Art movement. His work is in the permanent collections of important institutions around the world including the Museum of Modern Art as well as the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. Signed by the artist and marked 18/200. The work comes presented in a custom walnut and white gilt frame...
Mixed Media
$5,500
H 38 in W 46 in
Soft Lime, Signed/N 1970s geometric abstraction by renowned Op Artist 38" x 46"
By Richard Anuszkiewicz
Located in New York, NY
Richard Anuszkiewicz Soft Lime, 1976 8 Color silkscreen on Lenox 100% Cotton paper 38 × 46 inches Pencil signed and numbered 41/75 on the front; bears printers blind stamp from NYIT (New York Institute of Technology) Unframed We have not seen another example of this gorgeous mid century silkscreen...
Screen, Pencil
$2,000
H 8.125 in W 6 in D 1 in
Barry McGee Full Set Reynolds, Spanky, Steamer, Dollin, Theotis Skateboard Decks
Located in Draper, UT
A member of the so-called Mission School, Barry McGee got his start as a graffiti artist in late 1980s San Francisco, where he tagged under the moniker Twi...
Wood, Maple, Screen
$595
H 0.2 in Dm 8.25 in
Basquiat Estate Authorized Silkscreen on Porcelain Plate, Presentation Gift Box
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in New York, NY
Limoges x Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat Estate Authorized Porcelain Plate in Box, 2014 Porcelain Plate in Blue Presentation Box with Estate Logo This plate is in excellent condition and comes in an elegant blue gift box...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Screen
$3,850
H 32 in W 8.5 in D 0.5 in
Beyond the Streets: Skateboard w/COA signed by RETNA (Limited Edition of 100)
By RETNA
Located in New York, NY
RETNA Skateboard (Blue with red back) and embossed COA hand signed by RETNA, 2018 Silkscreen on Maplewood skate deck. Accompanied by Certificate of Authenticity hand signed by RETNA on Embossed Letterhead 32 × 8 1/2 inches Edition of 100 Accompanied by embossed Certificate of Authenticity hand signed by RETNA Limited edition of only 100 - not to be confused with sthe larger edition of 250. This work is accompanied an embossed Certificate of Authenticity, issued by the sponsor "Beyond the Streets...
Screen, Maple
$3,500Sale Price|30% Off
H 30.125 in W 41.875 in D 1.25 in
“Three Movements" Limited Edition Hand-Signed Serigraph by Yaacov Agam, Framed
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Encino, CA
"Three Movements," an original silkscreen by Yaacov Agam, is a piece for the true collector. Agam is considered the father of Kinetic art. His iconic style is recognizable across the...
Screen
$1,850
H 25.5 in W 25.5 in
1969-71 Abstract Minimalist Color Silkscreen Print Charles Hinman On The Bowery
By Charles Hinman
Located in Surfside, FL
Charles Hinman On the Bowery, 1969 - 1971 silkscreen on Schoeller's Parole Paper, edition of 100 + 20 A.P. 25.5 x 25.5 inches, signed, numbered 21/100 Screenprint in color on wove p...
Lithograph, Screen
$5,000
H 36 in W 35 in
Sol Lewitt, Geometric Abstraction Louis Vuitton 100% Silk Scarf, Limited Ed. 250
By Sol LeWitt
Located in New York, NY
Sol LeWitt Limited Edition Geometric Abstraction Silk Scarf, ca. 1987 Limited Edition Silkscreen on 100% Italian silk scarf/shawl Signed on the fabric with artist's printed signature...
Silk, Screen
$2,000
H 25.5 in W 25.5 in
Abstract Minimalist Color Silkscreen Print Richard Smith On The Bowery Pop Art
By Richard Smith
Located in Surfside, FL
Richard Smith On the Bowery, 1969 - 1971 silkscreen on Schoeller's Parole Paper, edition of 100 + 20 A.P. 25.5 x 25.5 inches, signed, numbered 21/100 Screenprint in color on wove pa...
Lithograph, Screen
$5,000
H 12 in Dm 12 in
Porcelain plate of Princess of Wales Theatre ceiling design (Limited Edition)
By Frank Stella
Located in New York, NY
Frank Stella Ceiling: Princess of Wales Theatre, 1996 Limited Edition Silkscreened Porcelain Plate in presentation box 12 inches diameter Edition 262/2000 Rarely found stateside - es...
Porcelain, Mixed Media, Screen
"Paper Plate"
By Roy Lichtenstein
Located in Astoria, NY
Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923-1997), "Paper Plate", 1969, screenprint in colors on paper plate, marked "Roy Lichtenstein (c) On 1st Inc. 1969" to underside, in Lucite shadowbox. P...
Paper, Found Objects, Screen
$2,800
H 70 in W 60 in D 0.2 in
Yoko Ono - John Lennon's wife, Imagine Peace Limited Ed beach towel/wall hanging
By Yoko Ono
Located in New York, NY
Yoko Ono Imagine Peace, ca. 2008 Oversized Screenprint on 100% Cotton Beach Towel 70 × 60 inches Edition of 1000 (unnumbered) Bears the artist's printed ...
Cotton, Screen