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.
Edvins Strautmanis Signed Mid Century Abstract Silkscreen Art
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edvins Strautmanis signed mid century abstract silkscreen art This piece measures: 24 wide x 1.5 deep x 31.75 inches high Excellent vintage condit...
Metal
Bruce Myers Mid Century Signed Abstract Original Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Bruce Myers mid century signed abstract original oil on canvas painting This painting measures: 30.5 wide x .75 deep x 15.5 inches high This painting is in good vintage conditi...
Canvas, Paint
Alf Kahn Mid Century Signed 1970 Swedish Oil On Canvas Painting
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Alf Kahn Mid Century Signed 1970 Swedish Oil On Canvas Painting This painting measures: 38.5 wide x 1.25 deep x 26.5 inches high Good Vintage Condition. We take our photos in a co...
Canvas, Paint
Bruce Myers Mid-Century Abstract Original Oil on Canvas Painting No. 5
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Bruce Myers mid-century abstract original oil on canvas painting no. 5 This painting measures: 22 wide x .75 deep x 28 inches high. This painting is in good vintage condition. ...
Canvas, Paint
Mid Century Abstract Acrylic Painting on Canvas
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mid Century Abstract Acrylic Painting on Canvas This painting measures: 81.75 wide x 1.25 deep x 27 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show as much d...
Canvas, Acrylic, Paint
Ronald Smoothey Mid Century Presence Oil on Board Painting
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Ronald Smoothey Mid Century "Presence" Oil on Board Painting This painting measures: 22.75 wide x 1 deep x 31 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Victor Vasarely Lithograph
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Artist: Victor Vasarely Medium: Lithograph Movement/Style: Modern Signed and Numbered : 133/250 Condition: This Victor Vasaerly lithograph is in very good vintage condit...
Paper
Victor Vasarely Lithograph
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Artist: Victor Vasarely Medium: Lithograph Movement/Style: Modern Signed and Numbered : 133/250 Condition: This Victor Vasaerly lithograph is in very good vintage condit...
Paper
Victor Vasarely (1906–1997) - Coloured print
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Print by renowned artist Victor Vasarely, a leading pioneer of Op Art. The composition is structured around four geometric modules, each exploring optical effects of volume, movement...
Paper
Victor Vasarely Lithograph
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Artist: Victor Vasarely Medium: Lithograph Movement/style: Modern Signed and numbered : 133/250 Condition: This Victor Vasarely lithograph...
Paper
1969 Victor Vasarely Signed Op Art Serigraph
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Fairfield, CA
A mid century vintage op art serigraph by artist Victor Vasarely. Features a bright orange-red design of overlapping squares composed of small circles. Pencil signed on the lower rig...
Metal
Victor Vasarely Limited Edition Op Art Lithograph, Signed and Numbered
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Miami, FL
Victor Vasarely (French-Hungarian 1908 - 1997) lithograph on paper, optical art illusion with cubes. The work is signed and numbered in pencil and maintains original aluminum frame. ...
Aluminum
