Grid and Shapes (likely part of the 'Alphabet' or 'Folklore' series)
Print on paper (Serigraph/Silkscreen) • Victor Vasarely (Hungarian-French, 1906–1997), hand-signed in pencil lower right.
Style & Movement
Op Art (Optical Art) and Kinetic Art
Medium & Technique
Screenprint (Serigraphy) featuring high-saturation industrial inks with flat, hard-edged application to create vibrant, uniform color fields.
Creation Period
Circa late 1960s to early 1970s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 70 x 70 cm (image size); Square format, presented in a portrait-oriented frame with matting.
Subject Description
A geometric abstraction utilizing a 3x3 grid system. The composition explores the relationship between primary and secondary colors and basic geometric forms (circles, squares, and rhomboids) to create optical vibration and the illusion of spatial depth.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good. The colors appear vibrant with minimal fading; however, there is visible reflection indicative of standard glass rather than museum-grade UV acrylic.
Estimated Market Value
$2,000 - $4,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$1,500 - $3,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired via a contemporary art gallery or print publisher in Europe or the US during the late 20th century. A pencil signature is visible on the lower right margin.
Art Historical Significance
Vasarely is considered the father of the Op Art movement. This work exemplifies his 'Planetary Folklore' concept, which aimed to create a universal plastic language through standardized geometric units that could be democratized through printmaking.
Notable Features
Features the signature 'Vasarely' in pencil at the bottom right. The use of overlapping geometric shapes creates a 'kinetic' effect where the background and foreground appear to shift as the viewer moves.
Condition Issues
Possible minor toning of the paper along the mat line and slight waviness of the sheet (buckling) due to environmental humidity changes. Surface reflections from the glass obscure fine details.
Conservation Recommendations
Re-framing with UV-protective museum glass or acrylic and acid-free archival matting is recommended to prevent light-induced fading and paper acidity.