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Jesús Rafael Soto Furniture

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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Creator: Jesús Rafael Soto
JESUS SOTO 1979 Edition 100/110 Op-Art Sculpture Silkscreen Plexiglass & Steel
JESUS SOTO 1979 Edition 100/110 Op-Art Sculpture Silkscreen Plexiglass & Steel

JESUS SOTO 1979 Edition 100/110 Op-Art Sculpture Silkscreen Plexiglass & Steel

By Jesús Rafael Soto

Located in Miami, FL

Limited edition sculpture by Jesus Rafael Soto, (Venezuelan, 1923–2005). Cuadrados Vibrantes by the artist Rafael Jesús Soto, is a wall-desk sculpture created in a limited edition, ...

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1970s Venezuelan Modern Vintage Jesús Rafael Soto Furniture

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Jesus Rafael Soto Book Inscribed to Dore Ashton
Jesus Rafael Soto Book Inscribed to Dore Ashton

Jesus Rafael Soto Book Inscribed to Dore Ashton

By Jesús Rafael Soto

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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...

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1980s Swiss Kinetic Vintage Jesús Rafael Soto Furniture

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JESUS SOTO 1977 Sotomagie La Huella Spirals Silkscreen Print On Paper UV Framed
JESUS SOTO 1977 Sotomagie La Huella Spirals Silkscreen Print On Paper UV Framed

JESUS SOTO 1977 Sotomagie La Huella Spirals Silkscreen Print On Paper UV Framed

By Jesús Rafael Soto

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Limited edition silkscreen by Jesus Rafael Soto, (Venezuelan, 1923–2005). Spiral by the artist Rafael Jesús Soto, is a silkscreen print created in a limited edition between 1955 and...

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1970s Venezuelan Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jesús Rafael Soto Furniture

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Jesus Rafael Soto Sculpture

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Jesús Rafael Soto furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Jesús Rafael Soto furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of paper and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Jesús Rafael Soto furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Prices for Jesús Rafael Soto furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,000 and can go as high as $1,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,000.