Victor Vasarely (1908-1997)

Biographical Sketch

Victor Vasarely was born on April 9, 1908 in Pécs, Hungary. In 1925 he began studying medicine but switched in 1927 to the Poldini-Volkmann Academy of Art in Budapest. He constinued his art studies at the Mirkely Academy, the so-called Bauhaus of Budapest (1928-29). Moved to Paris in 1930 and began working in commercial art.

His first period of free graphic work lasted from 1936-44: Denfert Periode, Belle Isle, 1938; Co-founder of the Galerie Denise René, Paris, 1944. He took up constructive-geometrical abstract graphic art in 1947. Beginning in 1948, his first series appeared, called 'Periodes': Denfert, Cristal-Gordes, Schwarz-Weiss (Black and White). In 1955, The Yellow Manifest (Kinetics). In addition to graphics and paintings, he also did architectonic work, integrated color design, tapestries, art films, design, plastic art and stage sets. Moved from Arcueil to Annet-sur-Marne 1961. Began 'Planetary Folklore', 1962. Awards and honors were heaped upon him from 1964 on. His artistic and cultural journalism found a wide acclaim. Vasarely became one of the most popular abstract artists of his time. Vasarely Educational Museum opened in Gordes, Vaucluse in 1971 and kept its doors open to the public until 1997. Creation of the Vasarely Foundation in 1970-71. Establishment of the Friends of the Vasarely Foundation in 1972. Vasarely's writings from 1947-69 were published. Opening of the Fondation Vasarely Research Center in Aix-en-Provence in 1976. Efforts at restructuring of the council. Vasarely Museum opened in Pécs (Hungary). A Vasarely Center was opened in Oslo, 1982. Vasarely died at an old age on March 15, 1997 in his studio near Paris. Part of his artwork was administered until 1997 by the Vasarely Foundation.

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References:

Catalogue, Fondation Vasarely, Aix-en-Provence;

Victor Vasarely. Monographie in 4 Bd. Griffon Verlag Neuchâtel;

Victor Vasarely. Farbstadt 1977 , Bruckmann Pantheon Edition.

Reference Catalogue:

Victor Vasarely. Bilder und Graphik 1930-1985. Katalog Wiesloch 1986

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Note:

The references given are not meant as a list of the best works available on the subject, but simply reflect the author's sources.

Registers and catalogues of works are included when known and correspond to the information given in the index.