circa 1990
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.
Sunbather, Op Art Screenprint by Victor Vasarely
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Victor Vasarely, Hungarian (1908 - 1997) Title: Sunbather Year: 1982 Medium: Screenprint with Silver, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 250 Size: 30 x 21.5 in. (76.2 x...
Screen
Structure Cubique, OP Art Screenprint by Yvaral Vasarely
By Yvaral (Jean-Pierre Vasarely)
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jean-Pierre Vasarely Yvaral, French (1934 - 2002) Title: 50 Shades of Blue Year: circa 1970 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 200 Image Size: 24.5 x...
Screen
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
Geometric Screenprint Poster by Victor Vasarely 1975
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Long Island City, NY
An original silkscreen poster "avant le lettre" by Victor Vasarely for an exhbition at Editions Lahumiere, Paris.
Screen
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
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
Cirke, Original Serigraph, Op Art , 1989, Signed, Excellent
By Victor Vasarely
Located in OPOLE, PL
Victor Vasarely (1906-1997) - Cirke Silkscreen / Serigraph from 1989. Edition of 250. Dimensions of work: 28 x 22.5 cm The work is in Excellent condition. Fast and secure shipment.
Screen
Colourful serigraph called Genum by op-art artist Vasarely
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Oostende, BE
Colourful serigraph called 'Genum' by op-art artist Vasarely. The artwork is signed and is E.A.2 (épreuve d'artiste = artist's proof).
Paper
Fifty Years 2, Original Serigraph, Op Art, 1989, Signed
By Victor Vasarely
Located in OPOLE, PL
Victor Vasarely (1906-1997) - The Fifty Years 2 Silkscreen / Serigraph from 1989. Edition of 100. Dimensions of work: 70 x 57 cm The work is in Excellent condition. Fast and sec...
Screen
Koskota Screenprint by Victor Vasarely, Op Art, Signed, 9/250, Framed
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Astoria, NY
Victor Vasarely (Hungarian/French, 1906-1997), "Koskota" , Screenprint in Colors, 1966, signed in pencil lower right, numbered edition "9/250" lower left, dark brown frame. Image: 1...
Paper, Screen
Jalons VI, Serigraph on Paper, Op Art, Hand Signed, Edition of 250, 1986
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Aventura, FL
Serigraph on paper from Jalons portfolio. Hand signed and numbered by the artist. Image size 25.75 x 24.5 inches. Sheet size 33.25 x 29.75 inches. From the main edition of 250. Add...
Paper, Screen
Victor Vasarely "Axo-Charga" Hand-Signed Limited Edition Serigraph, Framed
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Miami, FL
"AXO-CHARGA" BY VICTOR VASARELY (1906-1997) Serigraph on Black Paper ⚜ Signed ⚜ Numbered ⚜ Framed A VISIONARY MASTERWORK OF OP ART "Axo-Charga" is a striking original serigraph by V...
Screen, Paper
In the 1960s and '70s, the hypnotic creations of Op artists went mainstream and influenced the look of pop culture.
Through collage, painting and printmaking, the artist foregrounded Black life in America in revolutionary new ways.
