1966-1974
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.
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
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
Vintage Hardback Monograph: Planetary Folklore (Hand signed by Victor Vasarely)
By Victor Vasarely
Located in New York, NY
Victor Vasarely Planetary Folklore (Hand signed by Victor Vasarely), 1973 Hardback monograph with dust jacket Hand signed by Victor Vasarely on the first front end page 9 1/2 × 9 7/...
Paper, Ink, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset, Board
Relation Couleur, Silkscreen on velincarton, hand signed numbered 62/100 Op Art
By Hugo Demarco
Located in New York, NY
Hugo Demarco Relation Couleur, 1973 Silkscreen on velincarton Hand signed and numbered 62/200 on lower front. Bears the publisher's blind stamp on the fro...
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
Max Bill Mid Century Modern Geometric Abstraction Signed silkscreen 7/100 Europe
By Max Bill
Located in New York, NY
Max Bill Untitled Mid Century Modern Geometric Abstraction, 1970 Silkscreen on wove paper 27 1/2 × 19 1/2 inches Signed, dated and numbere...
Screen
"Editions Lahumiere 88 bd. de Courceles" 1974 Vintage Op Art Lithograph Colorful
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Austin, TX
Vintage poster lithograph by Victor Vasarely advertising an exhibit Galerie Luhumiere in Paris. The print features a an Op Art composition featuring a grid pattern of repeated squar...
Lithograph
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
Vasarely II Cubism Blue Book, Screen Print, 1970, First Edition
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This is a first edition, published in 1970 by Editions du Griffon, Neuchâtel, Switzerland. The book is presented in French and spans 206 pages, offering a rich exploration of its sub...
Screen
Colourful serigraph called Genum by op-art artist Vasarely
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Oostende, BE
Colourful serigraph called 'Genum' by op-art artist Vasarely. The artwork is signed and is E.A.2 (épreuve d'artiste = artist's proof).
Paper
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
"Galerie Denise Rene 1968" Vintage Op Art Serigraph on Paper, Blue, Green, Navy
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Austin, TX
Screen print by Victor Vasarely 29 ⅛ x 24 ⅜ inches About the Artist: Victor Vasarely (1906-1997) stands as a pioneering force in the realm of Op Art, heralded for his groundbreakin...
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.
