Venezuelan Op and kinetic painter and sculptor Jesús Rafael Soto (1923–2007) is perhaps best known for his immersive installations, which respond to their environments and physically absorb the viewer in a dynamic sensory experience.
The exploration of space is central to Soto’s work. This is evident in his early paintings, of the 1950s, which create the illusion of movement through simple compositions and a limited palette. During the same period, he integrated industrial materials like nylon and steel into linear constructions that were part painting, part sculpture.
But Rafael Soto’s grandest and most enigmatic creations are his “Pénétrables.” Made up of thousands of long clear or colored plastic strands suspended from the ceiling or from free-standing steel or PVC frames, these geometric sculptures play with the perception of space, inviting viewers to act as participants by moving within and through them.
The strips of some of the installations were partly painted, forming shapes when seen from a distance. The Houston Penetrable (2014), at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, for instance, appears to hold a floating yellow ellipse.
Rafael Soto created 25 “Pénétrables” over the course of his career. Each further blurred the line between reality and illusion and established viewers as not just spectators but as integral parts of the artwork itself.
Shop Jesús Rafael Soto's art now at 1stDibs.
Caroni
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Color screenprint, color pencil on heavy white wove paper, 1971. 840x595 mm; 33 1/4×23 1/2 inches (sheet), full margins. Signed and numbered 47/175 in pencil, lower margin. Publishe...
Color Pencil, Screen
Untitled
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Paris, FR
Silksreen, 1970 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 63/145 70.00 cm. x 50.00 cm. 27.56 in. x 19.69 in. (paper) 44.30 cm. x 44.50 cm. 17.44 in. x 17.52 in. (image) The V...
Silk
$20,000Sale Price|20% Off
Serie Madrid B, 1990
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Jesus Soto (1923-2005) Serie Madrid B, 1990 Denise Rene Editeur, Paris (with Denise Rene's blind-stamp) Screen print in heavy paper 59 x 45.3 in (150 x 115 cm) Professionally framed...
Screen
Composition 1
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Paris, FR
Silksreen, 1973 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 69/95 Publisher : Malbotough Graphics, New York 80.00 cm. x 80.00 cm. 31.5 in. x 31.5 in. (paper) 65.00 cm. x 65.00...
Silk
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
Untitled (From the Sotomagie Portfolio), 1967
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Untitled (From the Sotomagie Portfolio), 1967 Denise Rene Editeur, Paris Based on Soto's Work Rotation, 1952, Oil on Plywood Silkscreen 23 7/8 x 23 7/8 in (60.5 x 60.5 cm) Editioned ...
Lithograph
Red virtual square on the right
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Paris, FR
Silksreen, 1981 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 83/190 Catalog : [Prent 190] 60.00 cm. x 60.00 cm. 23.62 in. x 23.62 in. (paper) 46.00 cm. x 53.00 cm. 18.11 in. x 2...
Silk
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
Untitled (From the Sotomagie Portfolio), 1967
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Untitled (From the Sotomagie Portfolio), 1967 Denise Rene Editeur, Paris (Based on Soto's Work Répétition et Progression, 1951, Oil on Plywood) Silkscreen 23 7/8 x 23 7/8 in (60.5 x ...
Lithograph
Expo 60 - ARC Musee D'Art Moderne Ville De Paris
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
TECHNICAL INFORMATION Jesus Rafael Soto Expo 60 - ARC Musee D'Art Moderne Ville De Paris 1969 Screenprint on Cardboard 27 1/2 x 18 1/2 in. Edition of 1000 Signed on bottom right, si...
Mixed Media, Cardboard, Screen
Jesus Rafael Soto Serigraph: Composition, 1969
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Jesus Rafael Soto Composition, 1969 Serigraph Ed. 677 of 1000 28 x 18 in Signed and numbered on verso
Serigraph
Caroni
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in New York, NY
Color screenprint on heavy white wove paper, 1971. Signed by the artist in pencil, lower right. Numbered 146/175 in pencil, lower left. Published by Denise René and Hans Meyer, Pa...
Screen, Color
Ovalo Verde, OP Art Kinetic Screenprint by Jesus Rafael Soto
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jesus Rafael Soto, Venezuelan (1923 - 2005) Title: Ovalo Verde Year: 1980 Medium: Screenprint on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 150, AP 25 Paper Size: 22 in. ...
Screen
Untitled
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Jesus Rafael Soto “Untitled” Lithograph Ed. 63 of 120 29 x 23 in
Lithograph
Untitled
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Jesus Rafael Soto Untitled Serigraph Ed. 15 of 200 34 x 34 in
Screen
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
Composition 1996
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Composition 1996 Silkscreen in colors on Arches paper 21.7 x 29.5 in (55 x 75 cm) Editioned upper left and signed upper right Edition of 99 Jesús Rafael Soto was born on June 5, 19...
Lithograph
$446
H 25.2 in W 18.9 in D 0.04 in
Green - Original Lithograph by Lorenzo Indrimi - 1970 ca.
By Lorenzo Indrimi
Located in Roma, IT
Hand signed and numbered. Edition of 150 prints. Very good conditions.
Lithograph
$1,700
H 55.5 in W 55.5 in D 2 in
"Some Time Ago, " Limited Edition Giclee Print, 53" x 53"
By Elwood Howell
Located in Westport, CT
This Limited Edition abstract print, "Some Time Ago," by Elwood Howell measures 53" x 53" and is an edition of 100. The limited edition giclee it is printed on canvas, and framed i...
Canvas, Digital
$155Sale Price|50% Off
H 10 in W 7.325 in
Untitled Composition (British Modernism, Geometric, Abstract, 50% OFF - MUST GO)
By Jim Bird
Located in Kansas City, MO
Jim Bird Untitled Composition from "Ediciones Poligrafa, Barcelona at Redfern Gallery, London" Original Color Lithograph Year: 1979 Size: 10 x 7.325 inches (25.4 × 18.61 cm) Edition:...
Lithograph
$1,000
H 25 in W 29.5 in
Cycle 3, Minimalist Geometric Screenprint by Jay Rosenblum
By Jay Rosenblum
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jay Rosenblum, American (1933-1989 Title: Cycle 3 Year: 1979 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition size: 250 Size: 25 in. x 29.5 in. (63.5 cm x 74.93 cm)
Screen
$500
H 24 in W 24 in
Abstract Geometric 1970s Vintage Silkscreen Screen Print Manner of Vasarely
By Paul M. Levy
Located in Surfside, FL
Paul Levy (American, b. 1944) An established designer and illustrator, Paul M. Levy was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1944. He received his B.S. in Industrial Design from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio in 1968, returning later to do independent study there. He also did independent study at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, in 1969 and received an M.F.A. in Sculpture and Printmaking from Ohio University, Athens. From 1964 through 1971 he worked for design firms in Ohio, New York and California. From 1971 through 1973 he taught at the University of Cincinnati and Ohio University, Athens. He has exhibited in galleries, museums and art groups. In 1971 he was one of a number of artists who created enormous outdoor murals in a Cincinnati project called "Urban Walls." His graphic designs and illustrations for such firms as Container Corporation of America have appeared in publications such as Fortune, Business Week...
Screen
$422
H 22.84 in W 22.84 in D 0.04 in
Abstract Composition - Lithograph by Kumi Sugai - 1960
By Kumi Sugai 1
Located in Roma, IT
Abstract Composition is a color lithograph realized by the Japanese artist Kumi Sugai in 1960. Good conditions except for slight cutting and folding on the margins. Kumi Sugai (1919-1996) was a Japanese painter...
Lithograph
$3,000
H 22 in W 22 in
Homage to the Square - P1, F5, I1, Geometric Screenprint by Josef Albers
By Josef Albers
Located in Long Island City, NY
"Homage to the Square - Portfolio 2, Folder 5, Image 1" from the portfolio “Formulation: Articulation” created by Josef Albers in 1972. This monumental series consists of 127 origina...
Screen
$3,287
H 35.44 in W 30.71 in
Victor Vasarely (1906–1997) – Quivar-Na – Color silkscreen on paper – 1977
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Varese, IT
Color silkscreen on paper, edited in 1977. Limited edition, numbered as 35/175 in lower left corner. Hand signed in pencil by artist in the lower right corner. Paper size: 90 x 78 c...
Silk, Paper, Screen
Black Watch II, signed and numbered 39/150 screen print
By Gene Davis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This is a signature color-field composition with multiple thin colored stripes created by Gene Davis. Gene Davis (American, 1920-1985) Screenprint Black Watch I, II and III, 1974 ...
Archival Paper, Screen
$2,348
H 23.63 in W 22.64 in
Victor Vasarely (1906–1997) - Tea-Ur NB - Color silkscreen on paper - 1984
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Varese, IT
Color silkscreen on paper, edited in 1984. Limited edition, numbered as 15/100 in lower left corner. Hand signed in pencil by artist in the lower right corner. Paper size: 60 x 57...
Silk, Paper, Screen
$3,000
H 22 in W 22 in
Homage to the Square - P2, F14, I1 - Geometric Screenprint by Josef Albers
By Josef Albers
Located in Long Island City, NY
"Homage to the Square - Portfolio 2, Folder 14, Image 1" from the portfolio “Formulation: Articulation” created by Josef Albers in 1972. This monumental series consists of 127 origin...
Screen
$352
H 25.2 in W 18.9 in D 0.04 in
Red Six - Lithograph by Lorenzo Indrimi - 1970 ca.
By Lorenzo Indrimi
Located in Roma, IT
Red Six is a lithograph realized by the Italian painter Lorenzo Indrimi in the 1970s. The artist found inspiration in the most primitive human experiences. This print is a hand-si...
Lithograph
Composition 1996
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Miami, FL
Composition 1996 Silkscreen in colors on Arches paper 21.7 x 29.5 in (55 x 75 cm) Editioned upper left and signed upper right Edition of 99 Jesús Rafael Soto was born on June 5, 19...
Lithograph
Sold
H 23.63 in W 23.63 in
Jesús Rafael Soto ( 1923 – 2005 ) – Composition – hand-signed serigraphy – 1970
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Varese, IT
color serigraphy on paper, edited in 1970 limited edition signed in pencil by artist and numbered as: 169/190 in lower right paper size: 60 x 60 cm very good conditions, with strong ...
Paper, Screen
Sold
H 23.63 in W 23.63 in
Jesús Rafael Soto ( 1923 – 2005 ) – Composition – hand-signed serigraphy – 1970
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Varese, IT
color serigraphy on paper, edited in 1970 limited edition signed in pencil by artist and numbered as: 154/190 in lower right paper size: 60 x 60 cm very good conditions, with strong ...
Paper, Screen
Kinetic OP Art Silkscreen by Jesús Rafael Soto
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jesus Rafael Soto, Venezuelan (1923 - 2005) Title: Expo 60 - ARC Musee D'Art Moderne Ville De Paris Year: 1969 Medium: Screenprint, signed ...
Screen
Untitled (Olympic Centennial)
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color screenprint on Arches. Signed and numbered 58/250 in pencil. Published by Puma Trading, Paris, or Editiones Catalanes, Barcelona, for the Interna...
Color, Screen
Untitled
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color screenprint on heavy white wove paper. Signed and numbered 8/100 in pencil. Published by Edition Domberger, Stuttgart, and Artists United for Nat...
Color, Screen
Sold
H 26.78 in W 26.78 in
Jesús Rafael Soto - Hand-Signed Relief Screenprint, 1985
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Varese, IT
Jesús Rafael Soto ( 1923 - 2005 ) - Hand-Signed Relief Screenprint, 1985 Additional Information: Material: Relief Screenprint on Fabriano paper Edit...
Screen
Composition, circa 1980
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
Composition, circa 1980 Signed Serigraphy E. A.
Screen
Kinetic OP Art Silkscreen by Jesus Rafael Soto
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jesus Rafael Soto, Venezuelan (1923 - 2005) Title: Red Row Year: Circa 1980 Medium: Screenprint on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil Edit...
Screen
Red Row, Kinetic OP Art Silkscreen by Jesús Rafael Soto
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jesus Rafael Soto, Venezuelan (1923 - 2005) Title: Red Row Year: Circa 1980 Medium: Screenprint on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil Ed...
Screen
Kinetic OP Art Screenprint by Jesus Rafael Soto
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jesus Rafael Soto, Venezuelan (1923 - 2005) Title: Sin Titulo Year: circa 1970 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 15/...
Screen
FL VI
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jesus Rafael Soto, Venezuelan (1923 - 2005) Title: FL VI Year: 1973 Medium: Embossed Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 50/95 Size: 36.5 x 36.5 inches
Etching