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
$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
$3,500Sale 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
Nick Thomm - AFTER DARK (ORANGE)
By Nick Thomm
Located in FITZROY, VIC
Nick Thomm 'After Dark' (Orange) 69cm x 92cm (27"×36″) Limited Edition of 125 Hand Signed and Numbered #76 Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemühle 308gsm Fine Art Paper. Condition: NE...
Archival Ink, Giclée, Archival Pigment
$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
Nick Thomm - Loom (SKY) Standard
By Nick Thomm
Located in FITZROY, VIC
Nick Thomm 'LOOM' (Sky) 69cm x 92cm (27"×36″) Limited Edition of 343. Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemühle 308gsm Fine Art Paper. Condition: NEW. Worldwide Shipping. Sold Unframed.
Archival Ink, Giclée, Archival Pigment
$1,000
H 33 in W 35 in
Paper Ball 100% Silk Scarf w/tag designed by Alexander Calder, Estate authorized
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Alexander Calder (after) Paper Ball, 2001 100% silkscreen on silk scarf 33 inches × 35 inches - fully opened (unfolded) Unframed Published by Powerball, with special authorization from the Estate of Alexander Calder In 1949 Calder was commissioned by the New York firm Laverne Originals to create two designs for use as fabric and wallpaper. This design - Paint Ball, a beautiful silk scarf...
Silk, Screen, Fabric
$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
$5,500
H 38 in W 46 in
Richard Anuszkiewicz - Soft Lime, Signed/N 1970s geometric abstraction Op Art
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...
Pencil, Screen
$1,800
H 10.5 in Dm 10.5 in
Andy Warhol Limited Edition Camouflage Self-Portrait 1986 China Plate w/Gift Box
By Andy Warhol
Located in New York, NY
Andy Warhol (After) Camouflage Self-Portrait 1986, 2020 Fine Bone China 10 1/2 × 10 1/2 inches Limited Edition of 175 Signed in plate, Authorized signature and edition details fired ...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Mixed Media, Screen
$3,850
H 31 in W 8 in
KAWS - Early Limited Edition Green Snake Skate Deck maplewood Skateboard 88/400
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
Krooked x KAWS Limited edition silkscreen on 100% Canadian 7-ply maplewood skate deck skateboard Signed on the deck on the verso with KAWS copyright ...
Plywood, 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