Influenced by his upbringing in Judaism as well as the teachings of the Bauhaus, Yaacov Agam is a pioneer of kinetic art as well as the Op art movement and is often credited with introducing geometric abstraction to his home country of Israel.
Born in Rishon LeZion, Palestine — now part of Israel — the son of a rabbi, Agam found that the spiritual world had a major influence on his art practice, as did the sand dunes he grew up watching as they constantly shifted with the wind. This perpetual movement would inform his work, whereby riveting, prismatic compositions that transform from different perspectives, patterns that generate optical effects and sculptures that move with a passing breeze all reflect the gradual changes in nature.
Agam studied with Israeli painter Mordecai Ardon at the Bezalel School of Art in Jerusalem in the 1940s before traveling to Zurich where he trained with Swiss Expressionist painter Johannes Itten and was inspired by the abstract work of Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky.
One of the innovative techniques Agam developed was the Agamograph, which uses lenticular printing so that multiple images, which are revealed as the viewer moves around the piece, can be seen on a single work. His art has regularly involved the spectator as a participant, whether it’s the 1972–74 room-size kinetic installation he created for the Elysée Palace that’s now in the Centre Pompidou in which a gleaming abstract sculpture is surrounded on all sides by polychromatic lines or it’s public art like the 1986 Fire and Water Fountain in Tel Aviv with circles of vibrant panels that offer varying colors from every angle.
In 2018, the Yaacov Agam Museum of Art opened in Rishon LeZion, showcasing six decades of Agam’s influential work that engages with perception through color, shape and form, from paintings, prints and installations to new experiments in interactive digital art.
Find a collection of Yaacov Agam art today on 1stDibs.
Yaacov Agam, Small EA nd, Original kinetic work, Acrylic on aluminium
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
Yaacov Agam, Original work, Acrylic on aluminium, 1989, Kinetic art, kinetic work, hand-painted, Israeli afrtist, Israeli art Dimensions (no frame): Height: 22 cm (8.66 in), Width: 2...
Acrylic
$47,600Sale Price|20% Off
Love Star Of David (original gouache on paper)
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Aventura, FL
Original gouache painting on paper. Hand signed lower front by Yaacov Agam. Image size 20.25 x 18.5 inches. Sheet size 29 x 22.2 inches. Frame size approx 33 x 31 inches. Cert...
Paper, Gouache
$57,000
Yaacov Agam, Pace of Time, original work, Watercolor on paper, 1972, mini model
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
Yaacov Agam, Pace of Time, Original work, gouache on paper, International artist, Israeli artist, Israeli art. This work is installed in the main entrance of the Tel Aviv museum in a...
Paper, Gouache
Yaacov Agam, Fascination, Prismograph
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
Yaacov Agam,Fascination, Prismograph, Op art, Colored work, International artist, Israeli artist, Israeli art. Op art pioneer Yaacov Agam’s abstract artworks—which range from painti...
Plywood
$74,110
Tactile Bleu - Mixed, Media, Oil on board with springs, 40 painted metal discs
By Yaacov Agam
Located in London, GB
Yaacov Agam Tactile Bleu, 1964 Oil on board with springs and 40 painted metal discs 55.9 x 78.7 x 2.5 cm 22 x 31 x 1 in
Metal
Colorful Kinetic original oil on wood round painting by Yaacov Agam
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Jerusalem, IL
This mesmerizing kinetic piece by Yaacov Agam exemplifies his pioneering approach to visual perception and movement. the work is constructed with a dynamic, circular structure that ...
Wood, Oil
Image au Carre, Geometric Kinetic Painting by Yaacov Agam
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Long Island City, NY
"Image au Carre" or "Square Image" is an original painting on linen mounted to wood by Israeli Kinetic artist, Yaacov Agam. The painting is signed, titled and dated verso and signed/...
Wood, Acrylic
$5,500
H 36 in W 36 in
Israeli Op Art Kabbalah Mandala Painting Jerusalem, 5732 Star of David Judaica
By Yakov Kaszemacher
Located in Surfside, FL
Ya'acov Kaszemacher, well-known artist and photographer whose unique images of Hassidic festivities are fascinating to view, and offer one an opportunity to peek into the community...
Oil
$6,000
H 24 in W 20 in D 2 in
Abstract Work on Paper Mid-Century Modernism Greek American Gouache Drawing
By Jean Xceron
Located in New York, NY
Abstract Work on Paper Mid-Century Modernism Greek American Gouache Drawing. A modernist artist who emigrated to America from Greece in 1904, when he was fourteen years old, Jean Xceron is described as having a reputation as an artist that has mysteriously fallen into obscurity---especially since he was reportedly quite prominent during his lifetime. However, a partial explanation of that omission is the fact that many of his papers and early records have been lost. He was a painter of biomorphic abstractions and did collages, which were influenced by Dadaism. Xceron was active in New York City when modernism was gaining influence. Of him during this period, it was written that his artistic role was "a vital link between what is commonly termed as the first-generation (the Stieglitz group, the Synchromists, etc.) and second-generation, the American Abstract Artists, the Transcendental Painting...
Paper, Gouache
$464Sale Price|45% Off
H 24 in W 16 in D 0.25 in
Colorful Portrait Painting on Board by Peter Keil w Tiffany Blue Background
By Peter Keil
Located in Hudson, NY
This modern abstract painting by Peter Keil is on a smooth masonite board with a painted Tiffany Blue background, black abstract portrait. Here you ...
Masonite, Acrylic, Board
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 60 in W 48 in D 1.5 in
Sense of spirit, From the Chestatee River portfolio, contemporary water, blue
By Juanita Bellavance
Located in Cumming, GA
Contemporary abstract painting from a riverscape perspective. The blue water would also be lovely in a Florida home. A contemplative sense of peace and ...
Acrylic
Hunt Slonem "Glisten X" Rainbow Bunnies
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Glisten X" Rainbow Bunnies White diamond dust bunnies gestured on a rainbow resin background in a gold contemporary floating frame. Unframed: 34 x 26 inches Framed: 36....
Glass, Resin, Oil, Acrylic
Spirit of 76
By Martha Hamlin Visser't Hooft
Located in Buffalo, NY
A whimsical gouache painting by American female surrealist Martha Visser't Hooft depicting a butterfly in a patriotic color scheme. Martha Visser't Hooft was born in Buffalo in 19...
Archival Paper, Gouache
$580
H 19.69 in W 15.75 in D 0.99 in
"It Trails You" (contemporary, original painting, pattern, abstract, bold)
By Nicholas Evans
Located in Paris, IDF
IT TRAILS YOU 2025 Paris, France This bold abstract oil painting on natural linen canvas uses a single deep dark green-blue color applied in thick, fluid layers. The paint creates l...
Canvas, Acrylic
$464Sale Price|45% Off
H 24 in W 16 in D 0.25 in
Colorful Portrait Painting on Board by Peter Keil
By Peter Keil
Located in Hudson, NY
This modern abstract painting by Peter Keil is on a smooth masonite board with a painted grey background, black abstract portrait with many colors. Here you certainly see the Picasso...
Masonite, Acrylic, Board
$590
H 40 in W 28 in
Abstracted Letter Sunset, Vintage Miami Style Colors, Earth Tones Figures
By Natalia Roman
Located in Barcelona, ES
"Abstracted Letter Sunset" is an abstract painting by Spanish artist Natalia Roman. These color field paintings are inspired by both modernist shapes of ...
Acrylic, Gouache, Paper
Hunt Slonem "Ofelia" Black and White Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Ofelia" Black and White Bunny A rabbit gestured in black on a white background in a vintage frame Unframed: 10 x 8 inches Framed: 17 x 15 inches *Painting is framed - P...
Wood, Oil
$3,250
H 45.67 in W 35.04 in D 0.79 in
"Jardin Des Plantes" (Fauna, Floral, Black, Blue, Graphic Landscape, Sky, Trees)
By Nicholas Evans
Located in Paris, IDF
JARDIN DES PLANTES 2024, PARIS Inspired by the artist's relationship to "Jardin Des Plantes", located in the 5th arrondissements of Paris, France, this original landscape depicts th...
Dye, Acrylic, Linen
$404
H 25.75 in W 19 in
Mid Century French Abstract Botanical Expressionist Ink Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Mid Century French Abstract Botanical Expressionist Ink Painting Medium: Black ink/ gouache painting on paper, unframed French, circa 1950's Size: 25.75 inches x 19 (height x ...
Paper, Ink, Gouache
LOVE STAR OF DAVID
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Aventura, FL
Original gouache painting on paper. Hand signed lower front by Yaacov Agam. Image size 20.25 x 18.5 inches. Sheet size 29 x 22.2 inches. Frame size approx 33 x 31 inches. Cert...
Paper, Gouache
Colorful polymorph Yaacov Agam work 3D Kinetic art
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Jerusalem, IL
A colorful work in a kinetic style by Yaacov Agam. From every angle you can see a different illustration. The piece is framed in transparent Plexiglas
Mixed Media
Yaacov Agam, Fascination, Prismograph
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
Yaacov Agam,Fascination, Prismograph, Op art, Colored work, International artist, Israeli artist, Israeli art. Op art pioneer Yaacov Agam’s abstract artworks—which range from paint...
Plywood
Sold
H 31.3 in W 41.93 in D 2.37 in
One and Another - Kinetic Op Art Serigraph Signed & Numbered by Yaacov Agam
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Atlanta, GA
Original Op Art artwork serigraph (silkscreen print on paper) by Yaacov Agam titled "One and Another" from the same name collection. This fantasy optical illusion art by Agam, with m...
Parchment Paper, Ink
Blue/Violet #8
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Yaacov Agam, Israeli (1928 - ) Title: Blue/Violet #8 Year: circa 1990 Medium: Unique Silkscreen on Canvas Mounted to Board, Signed lower center Size: 18 x 20 inches Fram...
Acrylic, Screen