Victor Vasarely (Hungary, Pécs, April 9, 1908 - Paris, March 15, 1997)
Victor Vasarely was a Hungarian painter and sculptor, based in France, widely recognized as the "father of op art" (optical art). Born in Pécs, Hungary, Vasarely began his art studies in Budapest, where he came into contact with the Bauhaus movement and the works of masters such as Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky and Josef Albers. The influence of these artists was so remarkable that he sought to synthesize his principles, believing that the movement of a work of art did not depend on the theme portrayed, but on the perception of the observer, who became the true creator.
In 1930, Vasarely moved to Paris, where he worked as a graphic designer at several advertising companies. After a period dedicated to figurative art, he decided to adopt a constructivist and abstract geometric approach, deepening his graphic knowledge over 13 years. His fascination with linear patterns and his experimentation with bicolor grids (black and white) resulted in works that explored undulating deformations and created an illusion of depth and multidimensionality. This style evolved with the introduction of colors, which added dynamism to his works, reflecting cosmic, biological and universal themes.
The period between 1950 and 1960, known as the Blackwhite phase, was a milestone in the Vasarely's career when he first introduced the suggestion of movement without real movement. This changed the relationship between the artist and the spectator, who ceased to be a passive observer and began to freely interpret the images, creating a new form of interaction. This concept was fundamental for the development of op art, a movement that would be eternally associated with its name.
Vasarely also experimented with transparencies, colors in projections and tapestries, in addition to producing prints. His works often combined variations of circles, squares and triangles, sometimes using pure color gradations to create undulating abstract images. Among its most emblematic creations are the "Vegas" series, which stand out for their three-dimensional impression on the spheres and the contrasting use of colors. During his career, Vasarely traveled to several countries, receiving several trophies and international recognition for his fundamental role in optical art.
