For Venezuelan artist Carlos Cruz-Diez (1923–2019), color was a dazzling, transient effect, which he attempted to capture on canvas and in light installations. The striking compositions he produced over his seven-decade career made him one of Latin America’s greatest postwar artists and a leading figure in the Op art movement.
“I don’t make paintings, nor sculptures. I make platforms for occurrences,” Cruz-Diez once said. “They are platforms where color is being produced, dissolved, generated in a perpetual instant. In it, there’s no notion of past nor future. In it is the notion of the present moment, just like life.”
Building on the chromatic explorations of Sir Isaac Newton, George Seurat and Josef Albers, he created striking paintings comprising lines of contrasting hues that appear to shimmer. He called these works physichromies.
Later in his career, Cruz-Diez shifted his explorations from paint to light. His “chromosaturations” are immersive environments consisting of three chambers, each flooded with a different-color light, which disoriented visitors and altered their perception. He also translated his chromatic illusions to public spaces, like the floor he created at the Simón Bolívar International Airport, near Caracas, and a pedestrian crossing outside the Broad Museum, in Los Angeles.
Cruz-Diez was a successful graphic designer as well, working for artist-clients like Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Rauschenberg. Across all these mediums, his work had the same boldness and immersive quality, engaging the viewer’s eyes, body and mind.
Browse Carlos Cruz-Diez's prints, sculptures and other art on 1stDibs.
Oval 2 from the Serie Cardíaca Portfolio, Op Art Lithograph by Carlos Cruz-Diez
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Long Island City, NY
Oval 2 Carlos Cruz-Diez, Venezuelan (1923–2019) Portfolio: Serie Cardíaca Date: 2015 Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition of 75 Size: 13.75 x 19.75 in. (34.93 x 50.17 cm...
Lithograph
$17,393
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - COULEUR À L’ESPACE NOVA. Op Art. Limited edition sculpture
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - COULEUR À L’ESPACE NOVA Date of creation: 2012 Medium: Chromography on PVC and steel Edition: 75 Size: 52 x 12 x 12 cm Condition: In perfect conditions, brand new ...
Plexiglass, Screen
Physichromie № 752
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Miami, FL
This piece is a chromatography over aluminum and PVC. It comes with an official certificate by the Cruz-Diez Foundation. The Physichromie (1959) is a structure designed to reveal ce...
Photographic Paper
Miércoles from the Serie Semana Portfolio, Op Art Lithograph by Carlos Cruz-Diez
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Long Island City, NY
Miércoles Carlos Cruz-Diez, Venezuelan (1923–2019) Portfolio: Serie Semana Date: 2013 Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition of 75 Size: 23 x 23 in. (58.42 x 58.42 cm) Fra...
Lithograph
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CHROMOINTERFERENCE MANIPULABLE LA DIFFERENCE. Op Art. Limited
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CHROMOINTERFERENCE MANIPULABLE LA DIFFERENCE Date of creation: 2011 Medium: Screen print on plexiglass Edition: 99 Size: 40 x 35 x 10 cm Condition: In perfect cond...
Plexiglass, Screen
$17,393
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - COULEUR À L’ESPACE ARIEL. Op Art. Limited edition sculpture
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - COULEUR À L’ESPACE ARIEL Date of creation: 2011 Medium: Chromography on PVC and steel Edition: 75 Size: 52 x 12 x 12 cm Condition: In perfect conditions, brand new...
Plexiglass, Screen
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CHROMOINTERFERENCE MANIPULABLE CARIBE. Op Art Limited edition
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CHROMOINTERFERENCE MANIPULABLE CARIBE Date of creation: 2014 Medium: Screen print on plexiglass Edition: 99 Size: 40 x 35 x 10 cm Condition: In perfect conditions,...
Plexiglass, Screen
$16,214
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 17. Limited edition sculpture. Op Art, Modern
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 17 Date of creation: 2018 Medium: Polychrome ceramic Edition: 20 Size: 62 x 21 x 16 cm Condition: In mint condition This beautiful sculpture of 62 cm he...
Ceramic
$27,417
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA TRIPTYCH 13. Limited edition sculpture. Op Art
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA TRIPTYCH 13 Date of creation: 2018 Medium: Polychrome ceramic Edition: 8 Size: 60 x 50 x 13 cm Condition: In mint condition This beautiful sculpture con...
Ceramic
Untitled, 1959/84
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Miami, FL
Carlos Cruz-Diez (1923-2019) Original silkscreen print, signed and numbered Title: Untitled, 1959/84 From: Exacta. Dal Costruttivismo all'arte sistematica 1918-1985 Media: Silksc...
Lithograph
$32,428
"Couleur Additive Perseus" by Carlos Cruz-Diez, 21st Century, Optical Art
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Köln, DE
"Couleur Additive Perseus" has a stunning appearance and an optical effect, which catches the beholder's attention from the very first time. Carlos Cruz-Diez from Venezuela was one o...
Screen
$23,578
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 22. Limited edition sculpture. Op Art, Modern
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 22 Date of creation: 2018 Medium: Polychrome ceramic Edition: 20 Size: 80 x 21 x 16 cm Condition: In mint condition This sculpture belongs to one of the...
Ceramic
$16,214
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 19. Limited edition sculpture. Op Art, Modern
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 19 Date of creation: 2018 Medium: Polychrome ceramic Edition: 20 Size: 62 x 21 x 16 cm Condition: In mint condition This beautiful sculpture of 62 cm he...
Ceramic
Carlos Cruz Diez serigraph, Untitled
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Miami, FL
Carlos Cruz Diez Untitled, 1964 Lithograph 20 x 20 in Ed. 4 / 100
Lithograph
Couleur additive Serie 7
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in PARIS, FR
The Franco-Venezuelan artist Carlos Cruz-Diez (Caracas, 1923) has lived and worked in Paris since 1960. He is a major protagonist in the field of Kinetic and Optical art, a movement ...
Ceramic
$23,578
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 21. Limited edition sculpture. Op Art, Modern
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 21 Date of creation: 2018 Medium: Polychrome ceramic Edition: 20 Size: 80 x 21 x 16 cm Condition: In mint condition This sculpture belongs to one of the...
Ceramic
$27,417
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA TRIPTYCH 20. Limited edition sculpture. Op Art
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA TRIPTYCH 20 Date of creation: 2018 Medium: Polychrome ceramic Edition: 8 Size: 60 x 50 x 13 cm Condition: In mint condition This beautiful sculpture con...
Ceramic
$23,578
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 11. Limited edition sculpture. Op Art, Modern
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 11 Date of creation: 2018 Medium: Polychrome ceramic Edition: 20 Size: 80 x 21 x 16 cm Condition: In mint condition This sculpture belongs to one of the...
Ceramic
$16,214
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 12. Limited edition sculpture. Op Art, Modern
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 12 Date of creation: 2018 Medium: Polychrome ceramic Edition: 20 Size: 62 x 21 x 16 cm Condition: In mint condition This beautiful sculpture of 62 cm he...
Ceramic
Physichromie № 2476
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Miami, FL
The Physichromie (1959) is a structure designed to reveal certain circumstances and conditions related to color, changing according to the movement of the viewer and the intensity of...
Metal
Carlos Cruz-Diez CHROMOINTERFERENCE MANIPULABLE LA DIFFERENCE
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Houston, TX
Kinetic art sculpture in screen printed plexiglass and hand signed. A genius manipulable sculpture that interacts with the viewer as the inner part moves with changing the color patt...
Plexiglass
$27,417
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA TRIPTYCH 18. Limited edition sculpture. Op Art
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA TRIPTYCH 18 Date of creation: 2018 Medium: Polychrome ceramic Edition: 8 Size: 60 x 50 x 13 cm Condition: In mint condition This beautiful sculpture con...
Ceramic
Cromovela A serie 21. Polychrome ceramic stele Ed 2/20
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Miami, FL
“Cromovela A serie 21” 2018 Polychrome ceramic stele Ed 2/20 24 x 8 x 6 in
Ceramic
Carlos Cruz-Diez, Colonne C 23, 2018
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Miami, FL
Carlos Cruz-Diez Colonne C 23, 2018 Cerámica. Edición Francis Delille, París. Realizada en el atelier de la Tuilerie, Treigny Ed 2 of 8 32 in
Ceramic
Carlos Cruz-Diez, Serigraph, Sitges I
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Miami, FL
Carlos Cruz-Diez Lithograph Sitges I, 2012 Lithograph Ed. 7 of 75 40 x 9 in
Lithograph
Table Chromointerference - Harmonie A
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in PARIS, FR
Edition: 2/21 Creation Date: 2017 Signed and numbered on a plaque on the base Carlos Cruz-Diez’s vivid studies of color, light, pattern, and perception helped pioneer kinetic and Op...
Glass, Wood
Couleur Additive Perseus, Portfolio of 3
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Miami, FL
TECHNICAL INFORMATION Carlos Cruz-Diez Couleur Additive Perseus, Portfolio of 3 2017 Screenprint 39 3/8 x 27 9/16 in. each ED'A Pencil signed and numbered Accompanied with COA ...
Screen
Price Upon Request
Physichromie 1800 - Limited Edition OP Art Chromography & Pigments on PVC, 2012
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Palm Desert, CA
'Physichromie 1800’ is a limited edition chromography and pigments on PVC by Venezuelan artist, Carlos Cruz-Diez. The artwork is signed and editioned verso, "Cruz-Diez 2/8” Carlos C...
PVC, Pigment
Price Upon Request
Color Aditivo Panam Círculos 9 - Limited Edition Op Art, chromography on PVC
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Palm Desert, CA
'Color Aditivo Panam Círculos 9’ is a limited edition chromography and pigments on PVC work by Venezuelan artist, Carlos Cruz-Diez. The artwork is signed and editioned on the verso, ...
PVC, Pigment
Price Upon Request
Cromovela No. 7 - Signed Original Op Art Sculpture on PVC, 1995
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Cromovela No. 7 is an acrylic lacquer on PVC sculpture by Venezuelan artist, Carlos Cruz-Diez. The artwork is signed and dated on the base "Cruz-Diez / Jun 1995" Carlos Cruz-Diez's ...
PVC, Lacquer, Acrylic
Physichromie 250 - Unique Signed Op Art Painting, 1966
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Palm Desert, CA
‘Physichromie 250’ is an acrylic and plastic elements on wooden panel with wood frame by Venezuelan artist, Carlos Cruz-Diez. The artwork is signed verso, "Cruz-Diez” Carlos Cruz-Di...
Plastic, Wood, Acrylic, Wood Panel
Price Upon Request
Physichromie 1530 (Diptych) - Signed Op Art on PVC Painting, 2008
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Palm Desert, CA
'Physichromie 1530’ is a chromography and pigments on PVC work by Venezuelan artist, Carlos Cruz-Diez. The artwork is signed verso, "Cruz-Diez” Carlos Cruz-Diez's 'Physichromie 1530...
PVC, Pigment
Price Upon Request
Physichromie Panam 106 - Original Aluminum Op Art Painting, Signed, 2013
By Carlos Cruz-Diez
Located in Palm Desert, CA
'Physichromie Panam 106’ is a chromography and pigments on aluminum Op Art work by Venezuelan art, Carlos Cruz-Diez. The artwork is signed verso, "Cruz-Diez" 'Physichromie Panam 10...
Metal