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.
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 Vasarely lithograph...
Paper
Alexander Gore Modern Art "Libertine Form"
By Alexander Gore
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Artist: Alexander Gore Title: "Libertine Form" Medium: Oil on paper Provenance: Signed and dated on lower right 2011. Certificate of authenticity included. condition: Fra...
Paper
Alexander Gore Modern Art "Somewhere in Caribian forest"
By Alexander Gore
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Artist: Alexander Gore Title: Somewhere in Caribian forest Medium: Oil on paper Provenance: Signed and dated top left corner 2011. Certificate of authenticity included. cond...
Paper
Modern Starburst Metal Wall Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Unknown. Manufacturer: Unknown. Period or model: Mid-Century Modern. Specs: Metal, Copper. Condition: This Modern starburst metal wall sculpture is in great vintage...
Brass, Copper
Fratelli Fanciullacci Striped Vase for Ebeling Reuss
By Fratelli Fanciullacci
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Manufacturer: Fratelli Fanciullacci Importer: Ebeling Reuss Period or model: Mid-Century Modern. Specs: Pottery Condition: This Fratelli Fanc...
Pottery
Victor Vasarely Signed and Numbered Silk Screen Lithograph
By Victor Vasarely
Located in North Miami, FL
This beautiful silk screen litho is signed and numbered 209 of 250. Frame is original to period. Psychedelic patterns that emerge from early computational experiments parallel Optica...
Glass, Paper
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
Vintage Op Art Serigraph by Victor Vasarely, Signed, Mid-Century Modern, 1969
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
Impression offset Victor Vasarely "Optic Composition"
By Victor Vasarely
Located in London, England
Offset framed by Victor Vasarely "Optic composition" VICTOR VASARELY is a very unique visual artist in the history of art of the 20th century. Accessing notoriety of his lifetime, he...
Metal
Victor Vasarely Signed Screen print in Color Marc CF 1970
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Weesp, NL
Elevate Your Space with a Masterpiece: Victor Vasarely's "Marc CF" Screen print. Experience the iconic artistry of Victor Vasarely with "Marc CF," a stunning 1970's screen print tha...
Paper
Victor Vasarely Mid Century Framed Serigraph
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Victor Vasarely Mid Century Framed Serigraph This art measures: 36.75 wide x 1.5 deep x 37.75 inches high We take our photos in a controlled...
Glass, Wood, Paper
