The Op art movement emerged in the 1960s, mirroring the counterculture of the time in its embrace of visual trickery, graphic shapes and bright colors.
Spreading across Europe and the Americas, the style — whose name is short for “optical art” — influenced advertising, fashion and interior design before fading in the early ’70s.
Op art remained significant, however, for artists and scientists interested in the nature of perception. And today, it’s seeing a resurgence of interest from collectors and interior designers.
Op artists played with the principles of perception, manipulating line, shape, patterns and color to create the illusion of depth and movement. They drew on and evolved methods developed by past movements, from Impressionism to Abstract Expressionism, to produce intense visual experiences.
All the Op artists shared a focus on the gap between what is and what we perceive. Each, however, had a distinct approach to the issue and a unique visual style.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Op art that includes works by Josef Albers, Bridget Riley, Jesús Rafael Soto and more.
Square Variables XI
By Todd Smith
Located in Surfside, FL
Early graphic work by the photographer Todd Smith during his period at Pratt Institute in the early 1970s. Edition of 250, unsigned and unnumbered, as issued.
Lithograph
Abstract Composition in Purple - Screen Print by V. Debach - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Abstract composition in purple is a screenprint realized by Victor Debach in 1970s. 50x70 cm. Edition 7/100 Handsigned in pencil on the right lower margin. Excellent conditions.
Screen
$950
Sky Light XXIII, Geometric Abstract OP Art Screenprint by Evelyn B. Johnson
Located in Long Island City, NY
This abstract screenprint was created in 1981 by American Optical artist Evelyn B. Johnson. It is signed and numbered 17/25 in pencil, and the plate size is 25.5 x 25.5 inches. It is...
Screen
Square Variables VI
By Todd Smith
Located in Surfside, FL
Early graphic work by the photographer Todd Smith during his period at Pratt Institute in the early 1970s. Edition of 250, unsigned and unnumbered, as issued.
Lithograph
Three to Compare
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Three to Compare From: Twelve Progressions Signed and numbered in pencil Commissioned by Martha Jackson Graphics Printer: Domberger, Stuttgart, Germany Their drystamp lower right cor...
Screen
Someone-Somewhere, Op Art Screenprint by Lev Moross
By Lev Moross
Located in Long Island City, NY
Lev Moross - Someone-Somewhere, Year: circa 1980, Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 77/200, Image Size: 38 x 26 inches, Size: 41 x 28 in. (104.14 x ...
Screen
Linear Weaving, Large Original Dimensional Painted Wood, Wall Sculpture, Op Art
By Stan Slutsky
Located in Aventura, FL
Original dimensional hand painted, custom cut and mounted wood. Hand signed on front and verso. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of Authenticity included. All reason...
Wood, Acrylic
Our M.C.-2
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
$750
Agam Silkscreen Mod Judaica Lithograph Hand Signed Israeli Kinetic Op Art Print
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Surfside, FL
Yaacov Agam Israeli (b. 1928) Hand signed, not individually numbered but from edition of 180. I can include a copy of the title sheet with the edition size and his signature if you r...
Lithograph, Screen
Solar Calendar III, Abstract Geometric Screenprint by Lothar Quinte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Lothar Quinte, Polish (1923 - 2000) - Solar Calendar III, Portfolio: Solar Calendar (Sonnenzyklus Kalender), Year: 1970, Medium: Screenprint on heavy stock, signed and numbered in...
Screen
$750
Agam Silkscreen Mod Judaica Lithograph Hand Signed Israeli Kinetic Op Art Print
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Surfside, FL
Yaacov Agam Israeli (b. 1928) Hand signed, not individually numbered but from edition of 180. I can include a copy of the title sheet with the edition size and his signature if you r...
Lithograph, Screen
Fuchsine Composition - Original Screen Print by Victor Debach - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Hand signed and numbered. Edition of 100 prints. On headed paper.
Screen
Abstract Violet Composition - Screen Print by Victor Debach - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Abstract Violet Composition is a Screen Print on Paper realized by Victor Debach in 1970s. Limited edition of 100 copies numbered and signed by the artist with pencil on the lower m...
Screen
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
Faces of Dali #3, Yvaral
By Yvaral (Jean-Pierre Vasarely)
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yvaral, Jean-Pierre Vasarely (1934-2002) Title: Faces of Dali #3 Year: 1977 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches paper Edition: IV/XX, 200, plus proofs Size: 34.75 x 24.375 inches Co...
Screen
Square Variables IX
By Todd Smith
Located in Surfside, FL
Early graphic work by the photographer Todd Smith during his period at Pratt Institute in the early 1970s. Edition of 250, unsigned and unnumbered, as issued.
Lithograph
USA, Op Art Screenprint by Jack Brusca
By Jack Brusca
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jack Brusca, American (1939 - 1993) - USA, Year: 1978, Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 200, AP 30, Image Size: 24 x 24 inches, Size: 28 in. x 26 in....
Screen
Precious Reflections - Original Screen Print by Mario Padovan - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Precious Reflections is a beautiful colored serigraph realized by Mario Padovan in the 1970s. Hand-signed in pencil on the lower right. Numbered in pencil on the lower left. Edition...
Screen
V from Double Metamorphosis Series, Op Art Screenprint by Yaacov Agam
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Long Island City, NY
V from Double Metamorphosis Series Yaacov Agam, Israeli (1928) Date: Circa 1979 Screenprint on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil Edition of 180 Image Size: 27.5 x 42 inches Size:...
Screen
Abstract Geometrical Scene - Mixed Media by Rodolfo Aricò - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Abstract geometrical Scene is an original artwork realized by Rodolfo Aricò (Milan, 3 June 1930 – 22 June 2002) in the 1970s. Colored lilac film on ca...
Paper, Mixed Media
Disconnected Circles - Original Screen Print by Mario Padovan - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Disconnected Circles is an original colored serigraph realized by Mario Padovan in the 1970s. Hand-signed in pencil on the lower right. Numbered in pencil on the lower left. Edition...
Screen
Quasar-Gelb-Grun, Op Art Screenprint by Lothar Quinte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Lothar Quinte, Polish (1923 - 2000) - Quasar-Gelb-Grun, Year: 1973, Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 25/40, Size: 35.5 x 35 in. (90.17 x 88.9 cm)
Screen
Zarch III, Geometric Abstract Screenprint by Babe Shapiro
By Babe Shapiro
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Babe Shapiro, American (1937 - 2016) Title: Zarch III Year: 1971 Medium: Screenprint, signed in pencil Edition: AP Image Size: 30 x 22 inches Size: 33 x 25 in. (83.82 x 63.5 cm)
Screen
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
Lenk Series B, Kaspar Thomas Lenk
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Walasse Ting (1929-2010) Title: Lenk Series B Year: 1971 Edition: EA;100 Medium: Silkscreen, metallic ink in colors on wove paper Size: 26.5 x 26.5 inches Inscription: Signed...
Screen
Mobius, Signed Op Art Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren
By Roy Ahlgren
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Roy Ahlgren, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Mobius Year: 1978 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 80 Image Size: 18 x 26 inches Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.8...
Screen
Revolution, Op Art Screenprint by Jack Brusca
By Jack Brusca
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jack Brusca, Peruvian (1927 - ) - Revolution, Year: 1978, Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 200, AP 30, Image Size: 24 x 24 inches, Size: 27 in. x 26 ...
Screen
Ringling, Signed Geometric Abstract Screenprint by David Simpson
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: David Simpson Title: Ringling Year: c. 1969 Medium: Serigraph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 80 Size: 30 x 22.5 inches
Screen
$15,000
Truncate
By Ronald Davis
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Ronald Davis (b.1937) is an American abstract artist best known for his multi-dimensional geometric creations. Born in California, Davis' work embodies the West Coast aesthetic and s...
Acrylic
Rhythm 15 - Original Screen Print by Mario Padovan - 1969
Located in Roma, IT
Rhythm 15 is an original colored serigraph realized by Mario Padovan in 1969. Hand-signed in pencil on the lower right. Numbered in pencil on the lower left. Edition 26/50. Original...
Lithograph
Abstract Totem - Original Lithograph by Mario Padovan - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Abstract Totem is an original colored lithograph realized by Mario Padovan in the 1970s. Hand-signed in pencil on the lower right. Numbered in pencil o...
Lithograph
Untitled
Located in Miami, FL
Jesus Rafael Soto Untitled Serigraph Ed. 15 of 200 34 x 34 in
Screen
Josef Levi, "Green, " OP Art Screenprint, 1970
By Josef Levi
Located in Long Island City, NY
This screenprint was created by American artist Josef Levi. Levi is especially known for his interest in the visual similarities that transcend cultures, like the pattern shown here....
Screen
Gull Point, Op Art Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren
By Roy Ahlgren
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Roy Ahlgren, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Gull Point Year: 1987 Medium: Silkscreen, signed, numbered, dated, and titled in pencil Edition: 100 Image Size: 25.5 x 18 inches ...
Screen
$8,400Sale Price|20% Off
Le Legende (Marilyn Monroe), Yvaral
By Yvaral (Jean-Pierre Vasarely)
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yvaral, Jean-Pierre Vasarely (1934-2002) Title: Le Legende (Marilyn Monroe) Year: 1990 Medium: Silkscreen on wove paper Edition: 12/100, plus proofs Size: 31 x 23.5 inches C...
Screen
$280Sale Price|20% Off
An American Portrait, 1976, Yaacov Agam
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: AFter Yaakov Agam (1928) Title: An American Portrait, exhibition poster Year: 1976 Medium: Offset Lithograph on wove paper Size: 27.75 x 19.25 inches Condition: Excellent Not...
Lithograph, Offset
Conferring Blue, Op Art Screenprint by Julian Stanczak
Located in Long Island City, NY
A colorful OP Art silkscreen by Poland-born American OP Artist, Julian Stanczak. Artist: Julian Stanczak, American (1928 - 2017) Title: Conferring Blue Year: 1981 Medium: Screenpr...
Screen
Cracked Shell, Op Art Acrylic Painting on Canvas by Patrice Breteau
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Patrice Breteau, French (1942 - ) Title: Cracked Shell Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed and dated l.r. Size: 30 x 30 in. (76.2 x 76.2 cm) Frame: 31.5 x 31.5 inches
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
Lenk Series A, Kaspar Thomas Lenk
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Walasse Ting (1929-2010) Title: Lenk Series A Year: 1971 Edition: EA;100 Medium: Silkscreen, metallic ink in colors on wove paper Size: 26.5 x 26.5 inches Inscription: Signed...
Screen
Planetarische Folklore
Located in Hamburg, DE
Victor Vasarely (Hungarian-French, 1906–1997) Planetarische Folklore, 1964 Medium: Portfolio of six screenprints, on Schoellershammer card (including title page and black case box) D...
Screen
$1,200
Fifth Dimension, 3-D Geometric Abstract Screenprint Collage by Anne Youkeles
Located in Long Island City, NY
This serigraph was created by Austrian-American artist Anne Youkeles. She has said that her work has benefited from the permissiveness that has encouraged artists to follow their cre...
Screen
Gamut, Abstract Geometric Op Art Screenprint by Mark Rowland
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Mark Rowland (American, 1953 - ) Title: Gamut Medium: Screenprint, signed, dated, and titled in pencil Edition 214/300 Size: 30 x 30 in. (76.2 x ...
Screen
Sunburst, Acrylic on Paper by Jules Engel
By Jules Engel
Located in Long Island City, NY
Sunburst Jules Engel Hungarian/American (1909–2003) Date: 1970 Acrylic on Paper Size: 18 x 12 in. (45.72 x 30.48 cm)
Acrylic
Rainbow Waves, Op Art Screenprint by Jurgen Peters
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jurgen Peters, German (1936 - ) Title: Rainbow Waves Year: 1981 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 250, AP 30 Image Size: 18.5 x 34 inches Size...
Screen
$5,590
Almir Mavignier: 9 Abstract Screenprints from the "48 Serigraphien" Portfolio
By Almir Mavignier
Located in Hamburg, DE
Almir Mavignier Untitled (from 48 Serigraphien), 1961 Medium: 9 abstract screen prints on paper Dimensions: 15 7/10 × 11 7/10 in 39.8 × 29.7 cm Edition of 50: Each Hand-signed in pe...
Screen
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Conferring Blue, Julian Stanczak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Julian Stanczak (1928-2017) Title: Conferring Blue Year: 1979 Edition: 66/175, plus proofs Medium: Silkscreen on Somerset paper Size: 25 x 25 inches Condition: Good Inscripti...
Screen
Pinwheel, Framed OP Art Geometric Abstract Screenprint by Jurgen Peters
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jurgen Peters, German (1936 - ) Title: Pinwheel Year: 1980 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 14/250 Image Size: 24 x 24 inches Size: 27 in. x...
Screen
David Roth, Abstract Screenprint, 1979
By David Roth
Located in Long Island City, NY
This screenprint was created by American artist David Roth. Roth's images are proportioned according to a strict mathematical formula - the pictures are composed according to horizon...
Screen
Pinwheel, Op Art Screenprint by Jurgen Peters, 1980
Located in Long Island City, NY
This serigraph was created by German artist Jurgen Peters. Peters was a very well known optical artist in the 1970s, he was a contemporary of Victor Vasarely, Yaacov Agam and Briget Riley...
Screen
Faith, 1982, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson
By Barry Nelson
Located in Long Island City, NY
Faith Barry Nelson, British/American (1937) Date: 1982 Etching with Aquatint on Arches, signed, titled, numbered and dated in pencil Edition of AP Image Size: 29.5 x 20.25 inches Siz...
Etching, Aquatint
Caroni
Located in New York, NY
Color screenprint on heavy white wove paper, 1971. Signed by the artist in pencil, lower right. Numbered 146/175 in pencil, lower left. Published by Denise René and Hans Meyer, Pa...
Screen, Color
Horizon Original Op Art Painting
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Horizon Original Op Art Painting 1978 Artist signed and dated. Marko Spalatin (American, Born 1945). An original Modern Abstract Op-Art oil painting on canvas. Titled "Horizon". Featuring colors of white, yellow, orange, green, purple, and blue. Signed and dated 1978 with title on verso. Mounted on wood stretcher. Provenance: 11/10/2007 Ivey-Selkirk Auction, LOT 775. PERMANENT COLLECTIONS Musée d'Art Moderne — Paris, France Museum of Modern Art — New York, New York Tate Gallery — London, England Bibliothèque National — Paris, France Victoria & Albert Museum — London, England Library of Congress — Washington, D.C. Museum of Contemporary Art — Chicago, Illinois Metropolitan Museum — Manila, Philippines Philadelphia Museum of Art — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Butler Institute of American Art — Youngstown, Ohio Museum of Modern Art — Belgrade, Yugoslavia Milwaukee Art Museum...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Paralax V, 1980, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson
By Barry Nelson
Located in Long Island City, NY
Paralax V Barry Nelson, British/American (1937) Date: 1980 Etching with Aquatint on Arches, signed, titled, numbered and dated in pencil Edition of 22/30 Image Size: 20.25 x 29.5 inc...
Etching, Aquatint
Four Green Shapes in Continuous Space, Surrealist Screenprint by Frank Roth
By Frank Roth
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Frank Roth, American (1936 - ) Title: Untitled - Four Green Shapes in Continuous Space Year: 1978 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 125, AP 30 Image...
Screen
Egg 2 (Purple), Abstract Geometric Screenprint by Kyohei Inukai
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Kyohei Inukai, American (1913 - 1985) Title: Egg 2 (Purple) Year: circa 1970 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 45 Image Size: 20 x 26 inches Size: 2...
Screen
Force Field (Purple), Screenprint by Kyohei Inukai
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Kyohei Inukai, American (1913 - 1985) Title: Force Field (Purple) Year: circa 1970 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 50 Image Size: 21 x 25 inches S...
Screen
Winter, Rainbow OP Art Screenprint by James Norman
By James Norman
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: James Norman, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Winter Year: 1980 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 40/50 Image Size: 22 x 32 inches Size: 25 x 38 in. (...
Screen
Megalopolis, Geometric OP Art Painting on Canvas by Roy Ahlgren
By Roy Ahlgren
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Roy Ahlgren, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Megalopolis Year: 1972 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed and dated verso Size: 34 x 34 inches
Canvas, Acrylic
Sixties, Geometric Abstract Screenprint by Takaaki Matsumoto
Located in Long Island City, NY
A geometric abstract print by Japanese artist Takaaki Matsumoto. Sixties Takaaki Matsumoto, Japanese (1954) Date: 1991 Screenprint Edition of 68 Size: 24 x 24 in. (60.96 x 60.96 cm)
Screen
Ovograph, OP Art Geometric Abstract Screenprint by David Simpson
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: David Simpson (American, b. 1928) Title: Ovograph Year: c. 1969 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 50 Image Size: 29.5 x 22 inches Size: 40 x 27 in...
Screen
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
Wash Art 1978, Yaacov Agam
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yaakov Agam (1928), after Title: Wash Art Year: 1978 Medium: Silkscreen on wove paper Size: 38.5 x 23.25 inches Condition: Excellent Inscription: Autographed in colored ink ...
Screen
Epicentrum Quantinum U/G/W, Acrylic on Canvas, Op Art, Signed, 120 cm
Located in OPOLE, PL
Jaremi Picz (1955) - Epicentrum Quantinum U/G/W Acrylic on canvas from 2024. The work is enhanced with UV paint. Dimensions of work: 120 x 120 cm. Hand signed and titled on the ba...
Acrylic