1975
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.
Iboya, NBC 35
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Palo Alto, CA
The Hungarian word, Iboya, meaning a small forest violet, has been chosen by Vasarely to identify his astonishing series of vertical sculptures for intereior use. The Iboya consist ...
Polystyrene, Wood
Iboya, NBC 35 and NBC 36
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Palo Alto, CA
NBC 35 and NBC 36 Edition 33/50 and 16/50, respectively Signed to label The Hungarian word, Iboya, meaning a small forest violet, has been chosen by Vasarely to identify his astonis...
Polystyrene, Wood
Untitled
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Palo Alto, CA
Victor Vasarely Untitled, c. 1970-79 is a glazed porcelain multiple that is hand-signed by Victor Vasarely (Hungary, 1906 – France, 1997) and is numbered from the edition of 50 on ve...
Porcelain
Untitled Relief
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Palo Alto, CA
Vasarely's skill in creating a sense of the three-dimensional through the use of visual effects is apparent in this work with a combination of recessed and protruding geometrical shapes. Bold black, white, and blue hues accentuate the feeling of volume and space apparent in this marvelous relief. The geometric shapes of circles, squares, and diamonds guide our eye throughout the composition, encouraging us to explore the three dimensional optical effect before us. The total effect of this play on color and shape is visually stunning and impressive in the amount of thought and skill put into the arrangement of design elements. This porcelain Rosenthal relief...
Porcelain
Untitled Relief
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Palo Alto, CA
Victor Vasarely Untitled Relief, 1973 is a Studio Line Rosenthal Porcelain relief with aluminum that is hand-signed by Victor Vasarely (Hungary, 1906 – France, 1997) on verso. Number...
Porcelain
NB 11, 1968
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Palo Alto, CA
Victor Vasarely NB 11, 1968 is a glazed porcelain relief that is hand-signed by Victor Vasarely (Hungary, 1906 – France, 1997) on label affixed on verso.
Porcelain
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
Untitled
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Miami, FL
Victor Vasarely Untitled Acrylic on wood 27 x 15 in Ed. EA
Wood, Acrylic
Victor Vasarely sculpture: Ter-A
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Miami, FL
Victor Vasarely Ter-A Acrylic on wood Ed. 13 of 100 18 x 10 x 2 in
Wood, Acrylic
Torony II. Ed. 5 of 175. ca. 1980
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Miami, FL
Victor Vasarely was a French-Hungarian artist credited as the grandfather and leader of the Op Art movement. The artist created compelling illusions of spatial depth using geometric ...
Wood, Acrylic
Victor Vasarely Sculpture
By Victor Vasarely
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Victor Vasarely tower sculpture "MC 31" Signed lower panel edition 39/50 Wood and plastic.
Wood
Tsiga
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Paris, FR
Silkscreen, 1973 Edition : 104/250 82.00 cm. x 76.00 cm. 32.28 in. x 29.92 in. (paper) 82.00 cm. x 76.00 cm. 32.28 in. x 29.92 in. (image) Handsigned by the artist in pencil Certi...
Silk
