Victor Vasarely (1908-97) Grandfather/Leader of the Op Movement

Victor Vasarely created eye-popping art. He is known for his optical illusionism, where he approached his artworks in a scientific manner - blocking out new patterns using geometry and physics. He mapped out his major works by using colored paper squares, circles and triangles, building compositions before creating paintings and serigraphs.

Vasarely created kinetic vibrations to the eye by juxtaposing contrasting shapes and colors. His grid arrangements provide a depth of field by using patterning gradation. The colors float on the surface, highlighting and shadowing areas that accentuate optical involvement. These colors are primary and secondary. As in the untitled piece below:

Artist Name: Victor Vasarely (French/Hungarian, 1908-1997)

Grandfather and Leader of the Op Movement

Title: Untitled - 1980

Edition: 250 numbered 202/250

Medium: Serigraph

Dimensions: 26.5 h x 41 w in

Signed: Signed in pencil

He was a master at producing multiples and for years Vasarely was part of NYC’s Sidney Janis Gallery. Janis heavily promoted Vasarely in the late 60s and 70s. Vasarely was born in Hungary (1908), studied at the Budapest Bauhaus, founded by Sander Bortnyik, and became a designer. He had spent years in Dessau, Berlin and Paris, where he settled in the 1930. His studio was in Annet-Sur Marne. Vasarely died in 1997.

References: To create this article, information was used from "International Art - Volume XIII/10" Christmas 1969.

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Waller-Yoblonsky Fine Art is a research collaborative, working to track artists that got lost and overlooked due to time, changing styles, race, gender and/or sexual orientation. Our frequent blogs highlight artists and art movements that need renewed attention with improved information for the researcher and art collectors. These photos were created by Mr. Waller and all materials are used under the Fair Use Section 107, Copyright Act, unless otherwise noted. #waller-yoblonskyblogspot #victorvasarely #vasarely

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