1969
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.
Latorça, from: The Discourse on Method - Op Art Illusion Hungarian Descartes
By Victor Vasarely
Located in London, GB
This original screenprint in colours is hand signed in pencil by the artist “Vasarely” in the lower right margin. It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 138, at the l...
Screen
Orom (Denfert), from: The Discourse on Method - Op Art Illusion Hungarian
By Victor Vasarely
Located in London, GB
This original screenprint in colours is hand signed in pencil by the artist “Vasarely” in the lower right margin. It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 138, at the l...
Screen
Ezinor (Crystal): The Discourse on Method - Op Art Illusion Hungarian Descartes
By Victor Vasarely
Located in London, GB
This original screenprint in colours is hand signed in pencil by the artist “Vasarely” in the lower right margin. It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 138, at the l...
Screen
Untitled from: The Skin of Things - Op Art Illusion Hungarian
By Victor Vasarely
Located in London, GB
This original screenprint in colours is hand signed in pencil by the artist “Vasarely” in the lower right margin. It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 114, at the lower left margin. This screenprint was and published in a limited edition of 114 signed and numbered impressions by Jean-Robert Arnaud, Paris. Note: This subject is one of ten published in the folio ‘La peau des choses’ [The Skin of Things] in 1968. The folio also included works by Huguette-Arthur Bertrand, Cesar, Émile Gilioli, James Guitet...
Screen
Blue Study, from: The Discourse on Method - Op Art Illusion Hungarian Descartes
By Victor Vasarely
Located in London, GB
This original screenprint in colours is hand signed in pencil by the artist “Vasarely” in the lower right margin. It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 138, at the l...
Screen
Grande Noir, 1965 - French Abstract
By Maurice Estève
Located in London, GB
MAURICE ESTEVE 1904-2001 Culan, Cher 1904-2001(French) Title: Grande Noir, 1965 Technique: Original Hand Signed and hand-numbered Lithograph on Arches paper with full margins Pa...
Lithograph
Markab, from Album I, OP Art Serigraph by Vasarely 1955
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Long Island City, NY
Victor Vasarely, Hungarian (1908–1997) Date: 1955 Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition of 124/150 Image Size: 16 x 22 inches Size: 20 x 25.75 in. (50.8 x 65.41 cm)
Screen
Rare 1960s Victor Vasarely offset lithograph poster, Op Art print
By Victor Vasarely
Located in New York, NY
Victor Vasarely Rare 1960s Victor Vasarely poster, 1967 Offset lithograph 35 × 19 1/4 inches Unframed, unsigned Published by London Arts Group Rare 1967 offset lithograph The work...
Lithograph, Offset
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
Our MC, Abstract Geometric OP Art Screenprint by Vasarely
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Long Island City, NY
This optical screenprint was created by Hungarian artist Victor Vasarely. Vasarely is by far one of the world's most influential Optical artists, pushing the boundaries of art and pl...
Screen
Untitled (Geometric Structure), Victor Vasarely
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Victor Vasarely (1908-1997) Title: Untitled (Geometric Structure) Year: 1975 Medium: Silkscreen on handmade paper Edition: E.A.; 250 Size: 21.65 x 22.83 inches Condition: Exc...
Screen
The Fifties 5
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Paris, FR
Silkscreen, 1989 Edition : 74/100 Publisher : Pesti Mühely, Budapest 70.00 cm. x 57.00 cm. 27.56 in. x 22.44 in. (paper) 56.50 cm. x 45.00 cm. 22.24 in. x 17.72 in. (image) Handsig...
Silk
