Delve into the innovative world of Victor Vasarely, a pioneer of the Op Art movement, in this comprehensive essay. Explore his background, artistic philosophy, and the techniques that define his work, including the use of geometric forms and vibrant colors to create optical illusions. Analyze speci...
, Victor Vasarely was born in Pecs, Hungary, in 1906. His family moved to Piestany in
Slovakia, where the rest of his childhood years were spent. Minimum information is given on his
early life other than his interest not being geared toward artistic trends, but science. In his adult
years, his family moved to Budapest, where he began a medical education. He finished his
secondary studies and worked at the Labor Laboratories. He worked to earn a living in a country
harshly affected by the postwar period, so he remained in a factory making posters, and working
as an accountant. (Vasarely, 1925)
He began painting as a hobby. He enrolled in 1925, at the private institution of Sandor
Bortnyik; a respected, bold artist and activist of Bauhaus. “A German artistic movement…[to
merge all artistic mediums into one unified approach, that combined personal art with mass
production]”(The Studio Binder)
The institute allowed connections followed by principles of geometrical abstraction
instead of fine, traditional art. Victor was based in Muhely for two years while gaining influence
on his artistic abilities among other artists, and instructors. Claire Spinner was a classmate whom
Victor married and studied together in Germany due to political corruption in the Weimer
Republic forcing settlement in Germany versus Paris. “[Circumstances to settle in Paris, too,
often found themselves ignored or condemned in terms almost similar to the accusations made
by the Nazis who had forced them to flee their native land.]” (Vasarely, 1930)
Two decades passed while Victor made a living as a commercial artist creating for
vendors, magazines, and advertisements. His training influenced his art with geometric shapes
and experimentation, but there was a slight distinction left that had not been inspected until
materialization. Despite Victor’s youth, lack of income, and being titled a “Bohemian artist”, his
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