circa 1965
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
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
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
Bianco, Op Art Painting by Victor Vasarely
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Long Island City, NY
Victor Vasarely’s Op Art painting generates a sense of movement as it appears to warp into a sphere that is overlaid with stripes in a geometric pattern. Victor Vasarely, Hungarian ...
Oil
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
Santorini A, Abstract Geometric Screenprint by Victor Vasarely
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Long Island City, NY
Although normally recognized for his Op Art compositions, this lithograph by Victor Vasarely lends itself more to Geometric Abstraction. Vasarely uses just three colors to create a b...
Screen
Our M.C.-2
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Our M.C.-2 Screen print, 1970 Signed in pencil lower right Chop stamp: Denise Rene Editeur, on lower left margin From: Album Charities Edition: 300 (35/300) Catalog raisonne states e...
Screen
Victor Vasarely screenprint in color M.C.-2 1970
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Chicago, IL
Victor Vasarely screenprint in color M.C.-2 1970 unframed image: 21 h × 20 w in sheet: 33 h × 26 w in Signed and numbered to lower edge /300 Vasarely’ with publisher's blindstamp. Th...
Paper
Our MC Hand Signed Serigraph, Op Art, Framed, AP Edition, 1960s
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Aventura, FL
Serigraph in colors on paper. Hand signed lower right by Victor Vasarely. Hand numbered AP lower left (there is also a main edition of 300). Sheet size: 26 x 25.5 inches. Image s...
Paper, Screen
Abstract Composition - Screen Print by V. Vasarely - 1980s
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Roma, IT
Abstract composition is an artwork realized by Victor Vasarely (1906 Pecs - 1997 Annet-sur-Marne) in 1980. Silkscreen on paper. Signed lower right, numbered lower. h 48 x 45 cm ...
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
Victor Vasarely Signed Screen print in Color Marc CF 1970
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Weesp, NL
Elevate Your Space with a Masterpiece: Victor Vasarely's "Marc CF" Screen print. Experience the iconic artistry of Victor Vasarely with "Marc CF," a stunning 1970's screen print tha...
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.
