1982
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.
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
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
Morocco Series #8, Geometric Abstract Screenprint by Pierre Clerk
By Pierre Clerk
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Pierre Clerk, Canadian (1928 - ) Title: Morocco Series #8 Year: 1980 Medium: Screenprint on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: AP 2/45 Image Size: 21 x 35 inches ...
Screen
Bent Black - P1, F25, I2, Geometric Abstract Screenprint by Josef Albers
By Josef Albers
Located in Long Island City, NY
From the portfolio “Formulation: Articulation” created by Josef Albers in 1972. This monumental series consists of 127 original silkscreens that are a definitive survey of the artist...
Screen
Plate I, Abstract Geometric Screenprint by Jimmy Ernst
By Jimmy Ernst
Located in Long Island City, NY
Plate I Jimmy Ernst, American (1920–1984) Date: 1970 Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition of 71/125 Image Size: 33 x 22.5 inches Size: 37 x 28 in. (93.98 x 71.12 cm)
Screen
Geometric Composition - Lithograph and stencil, 1958
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Paris, IDF
Victor VASARELY Geometric Composition, 1958 Lithograph and stencil (Jacomet workshop) On wove paper 31 x 24 cm (c. 12 x 10 in) Edited by San Lazarro, 1958 Excellent condition
Lithograph
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
Orom "Denfert", Original Serigraph, Op Art , 1969, Signed
By Victor Vasarely
Located in OPOLE, PL
Victor Vasarely (1906-1997) - Orom ""Denfert"" Silkscreen / Serigraph from 1969. Dimensions of work: 46 x 40 cm. Hand signed. The work is in Excellent condition.
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
Tecoma Lithograph by Victor Vasarely, Op Art, Signed, 1972, Framed
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Roma, IT
Tecoma is a wonderful colored lithograph with a black, blue, pink abstract composition realized by Victor Vasarely in 1972. The plate is from the portfolio Octal edited by Bruckmann...
Lithograph
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
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.
