1973
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.
Rare historic Sidney Janis Gallery silkscreen exhibition poster
By Victor Vasarely
Located in New York, NY
Victor Vasarely Sidney Janis Gallery Exhibition Poster, 1974 Silkscreen poster on glossy thick paper Bears copyright stamp, printer name and ...
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
Anthea Galleria D'arte poster, limited edition Italian poster mid century modern
By Victor Vasarely
Located in New York, NY
Victor Vasarely Anthea Galleria D'arte Poster, ca. 1971 Offset lithograph poster Limited edition of 400 (unnumbered) 28 1/2 × 22 1/2 inches Unframed This historic offset lithograph p...
Lithograph, Offset
Hardback monograph of renowned sculptor: TROVA (hand signed by Ernest Trova)
By Ernest Trova
Located in New York, NY
Ernest Tino Trova TROVA (hand signed by Ernest Trova), 1978 Hardback monograph with dust jacket (hand signed by Ernest Trova) Hand signed by Ernest Trova on the half title page 11 × ...
Paper, Ink, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset
Josef Albers -Deluxe Hand Signed edition Munich Olympic Silkscreen Op Art 63/200
By Josef Albers
Located in New York, NY
This work is NOT to be confused with a separate poster edition, which is on different quality paper and bears a printed signature. This is the much-coveted HAND SIGNED and numbered edition. Josef Albers Large: Munich 1972 Olympic Games (Danilowitz 213), 1970 Color silkscreen on 250-gram Schöllers Hammer paper. Signed, dated and numbered 63/200 in graphite pencil on the front 40 inches (vertical) × 25 1/2 inches (horizontal) Catalogue Raisonne Reference: Danilowitz, 213 Unframed Pencil signed and numbered 63/200 - silkscreen from the Deluxe, hand signed edition on Schollers hammer paper (aside from the unsigned regular edition of 4000 on wove paper) Printed by Sirocco Screenprints, New Haven. Published by Ives-Sillman, Inc., New Haven, for Edition Olympia 72 By Josef Albers - famous color theorist and longtime influential head of the Yale University Art Department. It features Albers signature ‘cinetic window’, and is an impressive piece of art and sports history. This is one of only 200 hand signed, dated and numbered prints - (NOT to be confused with the open poster edition of the same image on different paper, which, unlike the present work, only bears the artist's printed signature.) The present work was created in 1970 for the 1972 Munich Olympics. In anticipation of hosting the 1972 summer Olympics, Germany sought to create a positive image for itself. As Arnold Schwarzenegger would write in his memoir "Holding the Olympic Games in Munich was meant to symbolize West Germany's transformation and reemergence in to the community of nations as a modern democratic power". The Munich Olympics were billed as "the happy games" - a term that would become tragically ironic. In spite of, or rather because of, the ruthless killing of Israeli athletes by terrorists during the Munich Olympics, prints like this Albers silkscreen have become a powerful symbol of the enduring power of art to bring cultures together and promote peace. This Josef Albers Olympic...
Screen
John Grillo - Mid Century Modern Geometric Abstraction Op silkscreen Signed 6/9
By John Grillo
Located in New York, NY
John Grillo Untitled Op Art Mid Century Modern, 1969 Color silkscreen on art paper with deckled edges Signed and dated lower right; numbered 6/9 lower left Limited Edition of only 9...
Screen
Victor Vasarely Signed Original Serigraph, Circa 1970's - Composition Cinetique
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Wonderful serigraph in color on black light cardboard, created circa 1970's. By French/Hungarian artist Victor Vasarely, considered the father of Op Art. This work is in excellent co...
Paper
Original Op Art Abstract Color Screenprint "Planetary Folklore" Signed #2/250
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Portland, OR
A Op Art abstract color screenprint, "Planetary Folklore" 1968, by Victor Vasarely (1906-1997). This very striking work by Vasarely is comprised of various colorful geometric shapes, the work is signed lower right "Vasarely" and numbered lower left "2/250. This is an early and crisp impression in excellent condition and housed under glass in a gilt & silvered hardwood frame. This very eye-catching work by one of the 20th century's leading Op artists is ready to hang on your wall. 14" x 14.50" at sight without frame Numered 2/250 A Franco-Hungarian painter, Victor Vasarely (1906-1997) first studied medicine before turning to art. In Budapest, he frequented artists from the Hungarian Bauhaus...
Lithograph, Handmade Paper, Color, Screen
"L’échiquier" by Victor Vasarely
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
The Exchequer - Victor Vasarely - 1935 Lithography Inscribed on the back "L'échiquier - Lithog (1935)". Paper size: 40x46cm Size of the work: 33x23cm Signature at bottom right in p...
Lithograph
Victor Vasarely 1940 original lithograph - Op Art - symbolism
By Victor Vasarely
Located in PARIS, FR
Long before becoming the father of Op Art, Victor Vasarely explored an entirely different visual language — one deeply rooted in surrealism, symbolism, and dreamlike imagery. This or...
Paper, Lithograph
Victor Vasarely -- Diam the album Diam
By Victor Vasarely
Located in BRUCE, ACT
Victor Vasarely Diam the album Diam, 1988 Serigraph in colors on paper Hand signed lower right Numbered 35/250 Sheet size 70 x 62 cm Published by : AC Mazo - Paris Printed by : Siliu...
Screen
Victor Vasarely - 'Beryll' From Souvenirs de Portraits d'Artistes
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Victor Vasarely Beryll Original lithograph in colors on paper Mourlout Souvenirs de Portraits d'Artistes 1972
Lithograph
In the 1960s and '70s, the hypnotic creations of Op artists went mainstream and influenced the look of pop culture.
Once built for curbs and handrails, these boards now hang beside blue-chip works in major museums and collectors’ homes.
