Vega-Tek
Print, specifically a color serigraph (silkscreen) on paper • Victor Vasarely (French-Hungarian, 1906–1997)
Style & Movement
Op Art (Optical Art); Geometric Abstraction
Medium & Technique
Screenprint on heavy woven paper; employs flat planes of color and precise geometric distortion to create optical kinetic effects.
Creation Period
Circa 1970 - 1980
Dimensions & Format
Estimated sheet size approximately 60 x 60 cm to 75 x 75 cm; square format presented in a rectangular frame.
Subject Description
A non-objective composition featuring a central bulging sphere or 'Vega' effect created through the distortion of a grid. The grid is divided into four quadrants, alternating between squares and circles in shades of pink, blue, turquoise, and purple, creating an illusion of three-dimensional volume and movement.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Poor; the work shows significant environmental damage and neglect.
Estimated Market Value
USD $200 - $400 (Significant devaluation due to severe condition issues)
Auction Estimate
USD $150 - $300
Provenance History
Unknown; likely acquired from a commercial gallery or art publisher during the 1970s print boom based on the signature and style.
Art Historical Significance
Vasarely is considered the father of the Op Art movement. This print is part of his iconic 'Vega' series, which explored the 'plastic unit' and the stimulation of the retina to create the sensation of depth on a flat surface. While a high-quality example of his work, its value is tied to its condition.
Notable Features
Includes a visible pencil signature in the lower right hand corner ('Vasarely'). The composition demonstrates the artist's use of progressive deformation of the grid to achieve a 'warping' visual effect.
Condition Issues
Extensive foxing (brown fungal spots), moisture staining along the edges, significant 'waving' or buckling of the paper due to humidity, and visible acid burn from the original matting. Possible UV fading of the pigments.
Conservation Recommendations
Requires immediate professional deacidification and cleaning by a paper conservator to remove foxing and mold spores. Should be remounted using acid-free archival materials and UV-protective glass.