'Japet' by Victor Vasarely, 1989
A striking example of Vasarely’s mastery of kinetic illusion.
From the artist's Série Croisées portfolio by Éditions du Griffon.
BW/Blue edition.
24.3 x 22.4 Inches
61.7 x 57 Centimeters
Rare, vintage serigraph print on heavy art board (ships flat).
Printed full-bleed to the edges, featuring no white perimeter margins.
A reimagining of his early 1973 b/w Croisées concept, expanded into a premium, large-format serigraph edition.
Limited Edition of 250 (#107/250)
Hand-signed and numbered by the artist in pencil.
*Note: Previously framed, print shows minor corner softening (see photos).
ABOUT THE ART
Victor Vasarely’s 'Japet' (1989) is a mesmerizing example of the artist’s pioneering role in the Op Art movement, transforming simple geometric forms into a visually kinetic experience. Originally derived from Vasarely’s earlier 1973 Croisées concept, this expanded large-format serigraph from the artist’s celebrated Série Croisées portfolio pushes black-and-white abstraction into a realm of optical distortion and spatial illusion. The warped checkerboard grid appears to pulse, bend, and recede across the surface, while the vivid electric-blue border intensifies the sensation of depth and movement. Through carefully calculated geometry and contrast, Vasarely creates an image that feels simultaneously mathematical and alive — a hallmark of his groundbreaking visual language. This rare Éditions du Griffon edition was produced in a limited run of only 250 impressions and is hand-signed and numbered by the artist in pencil.
Widely regarded as the “father of Op Art,” Victor Vasarely (1906–1997) revolutionized postwar abstraction through his exploration of perception, movement, and visual psychology. Born in Hungary and later based in France, Vasarely merged influences from Bauhaus design, constructivism, and modern science into a wholly original artistic practice centered on optical illusion and modular form. His works became internationally celebrated during the 1960s and 1970s for their ability to challenge the viewer’s sense of space and reality using only shape, line, and color. Today, Vasarely’s imagery remains deeply influential across contemporary art, graphic design, fashion, and digital media.
Japet' stands as an elegant late-career expression of the artist’s lifelong pursuit of “plastic unity,” demonstrating how minimal visual elements can generate extraordinary sensations of rhythm, vibration, and dimensionality.