“I’m interested,” Richard Anuszkiewicz (1930–2020) once said, “in making something romantic out of a very, very mechanistic geometry.” Anuszkiewicz sought to achieve this romance through works juxtaposing vibrant colors in geometric configurations. The perceptual effects he created helped define the American Op art movement.
Anuszkiewicz studied color theory at Yale under Josef Albers and was greatly influenced by Albers’s approach. “The image in my work has always been determined by what I wanted the color to do,” Anuszkiewicz explained in a 1974 catalogue. “Color function becomes my subject matter, and its performance is my painting.”
He departed from his mentor, however, in the pulsating, illusory qualities he gave his work. One of his most famous paintings, Deep Magenta Square (1978), although similar in composition to Albers’s “Homage to the Square” series, is distinctly Op art in the way the striations surrounding the central square seem to vibrate and jump off the canvas.
Anuszkiewicz spent his entire career exploring optical effects through the manipulation of line and color, producing spectacular and timeless pieces of art. “Working with basic ideas will always be exciting,” he said in 1977. “And if a color or form is visually exciting in any profound sense, it will be that way in 10 or 20 years from now.”
Browse a variety of paintings and prints by Richard Anuszkiewicz at 1stDibs.
Richard Anuszkiewicz - Near and Far Acuity, Signed Mid Century Modern painting
By Richard Anuszkiewicz
Located in New York, NY
Richard Anuszkiewicz Near and Far Acuity, 1957 Gouache and watercolor painting on board Hand signed and dated 1957 by Richard Anuszkiewicz on the right front Frame included Anuszkie...
Mixed Media, Watercolor, Gouache
Old Door
By Richard Anuszkiewicz
Located in New York, NY
Richard Anuszkiewicz Old Door, 1953 Watercolor on paper Signed and dated by the artist on the lower right front 20 × 14 inches Unframed This unique and extre...
Paper, Watercolor
$2,500
H 18.75 in W 21.75 in D 1.25 in
Edward Marecak “Small City Park” Mid-Century Abstract Oil Painting
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
Vibrant and expressive, “Small City Park” is a compelling mid-century abstract painting by Colorado modernist Edward Marecak. Known for his unique visual language blending abstractio...
Acrylic, Watercolor
$350
H 6 in W 6 in
"building up" abstract cityscape, geometric, pencil, marker, acrylic on panel
By Miriam Singer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This piece titled "building up" is original artwork made from pencil, marker, acrylic paint on panel by Miriam Singer. This piece measures 6"h x 6"w. Miriam Singer grew up in Buffalo, New York, In 2000 she received her BA from Brandeis University, and in 2003 her MFA from Massachusetts College of Art. Since moving to Philadelphia in 2004; Miriam Singer has exhibited at James Oliver Gallery. Stanek Gallery, LG Tripp Gallery, Woodmere Art Museum, Space 1026, Friends of the Print and Picture Collection...
Watercolor, Panel, Permanent Marker, Pencil
$516
H 16.54 in W 11.7 in D 0.04 in
Original-Peony Summer-Green-Awarded Woman Artist-Oil, Gesso on paper-Impasto
By Shizico Yi
Located in London, GB
This Oil on Paper, named Peony Summer in Green is a part of Summer Bloom Series by Award winning British artist Shizico Yi. She created the painting in her garden painted plein air ...
Gesso, Oil, Acrylic, Archival Paper
$6,500
H 28.5 in W 39 in
Interconnections - colorful, contemporary, geometric abstract, paper collage
By Yvonne Lammerich
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This bold contemporary composition by Yvonne Lammerich is an intriguing exploration of colour and form. Origami-like folded shapes inter-connected by fine lines dance across this col...
Mixed Media, Archival Paper, Gouache, Color Pencil
Tulips Red 3
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Tulips Red 3" bursts with life, a vivid floral painting where passion blooms in every detail. Red tulips take center stage, their vibrant hues energized by touches of blue, yellow, ...
Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Archival Paper
Tulips Red 7
Located in Zofingen, AG
I poured vibrant energy into this piece, blending acrylic, oil pastel, and colored pencil to create bold, expressive tulips that burst with life. The fusion of expressionism, impress...
Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Archival Paper
$1,161
H 27.56 in W 39.38 in D 0.12 in
Tulips Blue in the Wind : paper, oil pastel, 70x100cm. Very Thick paper
Located in Zofingen, AG
Capture the fluid elegance of nature with 'Tulips Blue in the Wind,' a large original oil pastel painting by contemporary artist Rakhmet Redzhepov. Executed on heavy, premium-grade p...
Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Archival Paper
Ilot 13 (Abstract painting)
By Marie de Lignerolles
Located in London, GB
Ilot 13 (Abstract painting) Collage, watercolor paper, gouache on Arches 600 gr. paper — Unframed Marie de Lignerolles is an artist, designer, il...
Paper, Gouache
$706Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.48 in W 20.48 in D 1.19 in
'The Groves, Sardinia, No2 ' Original painting on paper circa 2003.
By Andy Gradwell
Located in Frome, Somerset
The Groves No2 , By Andy Gradwell , signed 2003. Travels in Sardinia. paper 26cm x 28cm Hardwood glazed frame 52cm x5cm. Gradwell has the essense to create a single image of many ...
Watercolor
$1,906
H 24 in W 22 in D 1 in
WINDOW V - Contemporary Abstract Mixed Media Painting, shadow, curtains, blue
By Heather Hartman
Located in Signal Mountain, TN
WINDOW V captures the soft patterned shadow of the trees veiled by a sheer curtain. This painting is is part of an on-going series that explores the light and landscape in Tennessee....
Polyester, Oil, Acrylic, Gouache, Mesh
$30,000
H 28 in W 16 in D 1 in
Vertical Brush Strokes, Original Gouache on Paper, Hand Signed, Framed, 1992
By Sol LeWitt
Located in Aventura, FL
Original gouache on paper. Hand signed and dated lower front. Artwork sheet size 22 x 10 inches. Custom framed as pictured. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of aut...
Paper, Gouache
$600
H 17 in W 21 in D 1 in
Gilded: abstract expressionist blue & white painting/drawing on paper, framed
By Paula Cahill
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
Free shipping with code ART2021SHIP through December! This is an abstract framed work on paper with blue and white gestural, expressive lines. The work itself measures 10" x 13" and ...
Gouache, Archival Paper