Widely considered the grandfather of Op art, the French-Hungarian painter Victor Vasarely (1906–97) created eye-popping geometric abstractions that play with the viewer’s perception of depth, perspective and motion. A classic example is the 1937 Zebra, which consists of undulating black and white stripes that suggest the form of the titular animal through optical trickery. The work is often credited as the earliest Op art painting.
Such illusions were more than pleasing tricks for Vasarely, who insisted that “pure form and pure color can signify the world.” He wanted to “democratize” art by producing works in large editions at reasonable prices that were understandable across national and cultural boundaries. In the 1960s, he developed an alphabet plastique, or fine art alphabet, consisting of elementary visual building blocks that could be used in endless combinations to create original compositions. By employing this universal visual vocabulary and stripping away topical references, he sought to create what he called a “Planetary Folklore.”
Embodying Vasarely’s singular belief that art should serve a social function, accessible to all, these innovations may perhaps be his greatest contribution to 20th-century art.
Find a collection of Victor Vasarely prints, paintings, sculptures and other art on 1stDibs.
Aubouda by Victor Vasarely - Abstract art, Optical art, Op art, Acrylic painting
By Victor Vasarely
Located in London, GB
*PLEASE NOTE UK BUYERS WILL ONLY PAY 5% VAT ON THIS PURCHASE. Once an order is placed we will arrange the VAT of 20% to be reduced to 5% Aubouda by Victor Vasarely (1906-1997) Acryl...
Canvas, Acrylic
Topaze noir négatif
By Victor Vasarely
Located in PARIS, FR
Matt acrylic-painted wood relief Éditions Denise Rene Paris Edition n° 37/50, Signed. Presented at the exhibition “Vasarely - Le partage des Formes”, in 2019 at the Centre Pompidou. ...
Wood, Acrylic
1970's Enamel Metal Vasarely Silkscreen Screenprint Axo Kinetic Op Art Sculpture
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Surfside, FL
Victor Vasarely (1908-1997) Axo This piece is hand signed and numbered circa 1972-1977 I have seen it described as enamel on steel and enamel on aluminium. it is a serigraph on meta...
Metal, Enamel
Vintage Chokk Mini C Original Op Art Vasarely Collage Painting
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Surfside, FL
VICTOR VASARELY (1908-1997) CHOKK-MINI C, 1988. Colored paper collage, signed in black ink lower right Titled, signed, dated and numbered 'VAS-440' on the verso; Frame: 24.75" x 18" ...
Mixed Media
Tridos ediction 239
By Victor Vasarely
Located in PARIS, FR
Philippe Hiquily (1925 – 2013) is a French artist and designer known for biomorphic furniture and sculptures. He was able to combine modernist design, insect physiognomy, and human s...
Lithograph
Price Upon Request
Bianco, Op Art Painting by Victor Vasarely
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Long Island City, NY
Victor Vasarely’s Op Art painting generates a sense of movement as it appears to warp into a sphere that is overlaid with stripes in a geometric pattern. Victor Vasarely, Hungarian ...
Oil
Operenccia, Large OP Art Painting by Victor Vasarely
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Victor Vasarely, Hungarian (1908 - 1997) Title: Operenccia Year: 1954/1986 Medium: Acrylic on Board, signed, dated and titled in marker verso Size: 40 in. x 66 in. (101.6 cm ...
Acrylic
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
Teal Lace Collotype Lithograph
By Patricia A. Pearce
Located in Soquel, CA
Delicate layered collotype on heavy bond paper by Patricia A. Pearce (American, b. 1948). This piece is unsigned, but was acquired with a collection of other Pearce work. No frame. I...
Paper, Ink, Lithograph
$240Sale Price|29% Off
H 19 in W 26 in
Approuvé Par L'Artiste: Mid-20th Century Abstract Lithograph
By Roger Bezombes
Located in Belgrade, MT
This lithograph is part of my private collection. It is limited in edition artist pencil signed lower right and is in very good condition. Roger Bezombes a print maker born in Paris ...
Lithograph
$545
H 24 in W 6 in D 3 in
Sign A1125 - Modern Abstract Multi-Dimensional Red Minimalist Sculptural Artwork
By Len Klikunas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Artist Len Klikunas paints to modify experienced reality through visual perception. His art is a mix of art and architecture, hovering between painting and sculpture. It employs shiz...
Canvas, Wood, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$420
H 40 in W 28 in
Classic Blue Silk Movement, Abstract Fabric Gestures, Contemporary Cyanotype
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted limited edition cyanotype. Details: + Title: Classic Blue Silk Movement nº1 + Year: 2024 + Edition Size: 100 + Medium: Cyanotype Print on Watercolor Paper + Stamped and Certificate of Authenticity provided + Measurements : 70x100 cm (28x 40 in.), a standard frame size + All cyanotype prints are made on high-quality Italian watercolor paper WHAT IS A CYANOTYPE? The cyanotype (a.k.a. sun-print) process is one of the oldest in the history of photography, dating back to the 1840's. Cyanotypes were then made famous by Anna Atkins...
Lithograph
$1,055
H 44 in W 6 in D 3.25 in
Light VM362 - Contemporary Multi-Dimensional Minimalist Abstract Sculptural Art
By Len Klikunas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Artist Len Klikunas paints to modify experienced reality through visual perception. His art is a mix of art and architecture, hovering between painting and sculpture. It employs shiz...
Canvas, Wood, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$5,370
H 48 in W 67 in
My Joyful Heart - Lively Colorful Abstract 3-D Painted Weaving
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impasto-painted strokes of bright colors are the framework of artist Shiri Phillips’ abstract artworks. Her paintings are flooded with texture through the layering of acrylic paint i...
Wire
Trees (Rouge/Noir)
By Joan Mitchell
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Joan Mitchell (1925-1992) Trees (Rouge/Noir), c. 1992 Medium: Lithograph in Colors on Arches Paper Edition: 13/125 Artwork Size: 30 x 22 in Framed Size: 38.5 x 30.75 x 1.5 in ...
Lithograph
$88,000
H 41.5 in W 41.5 in D 2 in
Metallic Water, unique 1960s Op Art painting (signed), Art Institute of Chicago
By Richard Anuszkiewicz
Located in New York, NY
Richard Anuszkiewicz Metallic Water, 1964 Painting with Liquitex on canvas. (1964 Art Institute of Chicago Exhibition and J.L. Hudson Gallery) Signed boldly and dated 1964 on the ver...
Mixed Media, Acrylic, Canvas
$38,500
H 22 in W 21.75 in D 1.25 in
Kenneth Noland - Target, acrylic on paper, Color Field signed & inscribed Framed
By Kenneth Noland
Located in New York, NY
Kenneth Noland Untitled Target, 2001 Acrylic paint on offset lithograph paper Signed, dated, and dedicated along lower edge: For Howard and Susan with Love Kenneth Noland 6.10.01 Fra...
Acrylic, Permanent Marker, Lithograph, Offset
$612Sale Price|20% Off
H 36 in W 24 in D 0.03 in
White Lace and Ribbons Collotype
By Patricia A. Pearce
Located in Soquel, CA
Delicate and layered collotype on heavy bond paper by Patricia A. Pearce (American, b. 1948). The background of this piece is a collotype, whereas the lace, strings, and shadows are ...
Paper, Ink, Pencil, Lithograph, Acrylic
$656Sale Price|20% Off
H 28 in W 40 in
Line Study For Angles and Curves, Duo of Art Deco Shapes, Pastel Palette Rouge
By Natalia Roman
Located in Barcelona, ES
These series of paintings by Natalia Roman gather their inspiration from geometric, minimalist shapes and paintings from the beginning of Modernism, with a special emphasis on Art Deco shapes of the 30's, 40's and 50's. The subtle but chic color combinations will combine beautifully with both vintage and modern furniture without overtaking spaces that are carefully crafted by designers. Natalia Roman was born in 1984 in Girona, Spain. She has exhibited in galleries across Europe and her colorful, abstract paintings are part of private collections all over the world. Details: Title: Line Study...
Acrylic, Paper, Oil Crayon
Salgo negatif
By Victor Vasarely
Located in PARIS, FR
Éditions Denise René edition no. II/X, Signed. Presented at the exhibition “Vasarely - Le partage des Formes”, in 2019 at the Centre Pompidou. p.224 of the catalog Relief in wood pa...
Wood, Acrylic
Sold
H 24.75 in W 18 in D 1.33 in
Vintage Chokk Mini C Original Op Art Vasarely Collage Painting
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Surfside, FL
VICTOR VASARELY (1908-1997) CHOKK-MINI C, 1988. Colored paper collage, signed in black ink lower right Titled, signed, dated and numbered 'VAS-440' on the verso; Frame: 24.75" x 18" ...
Mixed Media
Sold
H 32.5 in W 32 in
1970's Enamel Metal Vasarely Silkscreen Screenprint Axo Kinetic Op Art Sculpture
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Surfside, FL
Victor Vasarely (1908-1997) Axo This piece is hand signed and numbered circa 1972-1977 I have seen it described as enamel on steel and enamel on aluminium. it is a serigraph on meta...
Metal, Enamel
Sold
H 14 in W 14 in
"Topaze blanche-positif", Wooden relief multiple, polychromed, No. III/X
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Miami, FL
Wooden relief multiple, polychromed No. III/X, Edition Denise Rene, Paris
Wood
Duo-2, 1967
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Palo Alto, CA
Created and painted in 1967, it is dated 1967 on the reverse of the board, this image is a rare vintage work. The work is also signed and titled on the reverse and is marked by the s...
Acrylic, Gouache, Board
Sold
H 17.72 in W 12.6 in
Tridim, Screenprint, 20th Century, Abstract Artist, Op-Art, Abstract Geometric
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Hamburg, DE
Victor Vasarely (Pécs 1906 – 1997 Paris) Tridim, 1968 Medium: Screenprint on cardboard Dimensions: 45 x 32 cm Edition of 100 + 3 A.P.: Hand signed and numbered Condition: Very good
Screen
Tridim
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Hamburg, DE
Victor Vasarely (Pécs 1906 – 1997 Paris) Tridim, 1968 Medium: Screenprint on cardboard Dimensions: 45 x 32 cm Edition of 100 + 3 A.P.: Hand signed and numbered Condition: Very good
Screen
Circle Composition
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Victor Vasarely (1906-1997) Title: Circle Composition - 1994 Beautiful silkscreen on paper Signed in pencil by the artist Numbered 40/40 Dimensions of the work: 41 x 41 cm Dimension...
Digital
Colored Tape on Metal Box Manner of Vasarely Collage Painting
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Surfside, FL
Manner of Victor Vasarely (1908-1997) This piece is unsigned. it is colored tape applied to a metal box frame. there is some wear to it. it appears quite old. there is some wear to i...
Metal
Sold
H 24.75 in W 18 in D 1.33 in
Vintage Chokk Mini C Original Op Art Vasarely Collage Painting
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Surfside, FL
VICTOR VASARELY (1908-1997) CHOKK-MINI C, 1988. Colored paper collage, signed in black ink lower right Titled, signed, dated and numbered 'VAS-440' on the verso; Frame: 24.75" x 18" ...
Mixed Media