Victor Vasarely

Victor Vasarely (born Győző Vásárhelyi, 9 April 1906, Pécs, Hungary – died 15 March 1997, Paris, France) was a Hungarian-French artist and a pioneer of the Op Art movement. Vasarely's work, known for its use of geometric shapes and vibrant colors, creates optical illusions of depth, as exemplified in his piece Vega-Nor (1969). Influenced by Bauhaus design, Wassily Kandinsky, and Constructivism, Vasarely developed a unique style that blends abstraction with visual perception. After studying at the Muhely Academy in Budapest, he moved to Paris in 1930 and worked as a graphic artist, creating groundbreaking works such as Zebra (1937). His innovative use of patterns and shapes led to his recognition as the leader of Op Art, inspiring many artists, including Bridget Riley and Yaacov Agam. Vasarely’s works are held in major museums worldwide, including the Tate Gallery, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.