Cassiopée II NB - Victor Vasarely

A striking geometric screenprint by Op Art pioneer Victor Vasarely, featuring a high-contrast, rhythmic arrangement of circles and rhombi.

Cassiopée II NB is a characteristic example of the geometric abstraction developed by Victor Vasarely during the mid-twentieth century. As a primary figure in the Op Art movement, Vasarely focused on the interaction between simple geometric forms and the viewer's perception. This work employs a strict binary palette of black and white, utilising high-contrast shapes to create a sense of movement and spatial tension.

The composition is divided into distinct zones. At the top and bottom, larger, singular geometric elements—a circle and a rhombus—anchor the design. Between these, a dense grid of smaller, circular motifs creates a rhythmic, repetitive pattern. The inversion of colours across the horizontal axis generates a visual oscillation, where the positive and negative spaces appear to shift in depth. This technique relies on the physiological response of the eye to repetitive patterns, a core interest in Vasarely's scientific approach to visual art.

Vasarely sought to move away from the subjective expression of earlier modern movements, preferring a universal language of form and colour. By using basic shapes like the circle and the square, he aimed to create a visual system that could be understood without cultural or historical context. The precision of the lines and the starkness of the contrast reflect his background in graphic design and his interest in the mathematical underpinnings of visual reality. This print demonstrates his ability to transform a flat surface into a dynamic field of energy through the systematic arrangement of simple, modular components. The work remains a clear representation of the mid-century fascination with kinetic effects and the potential for art to engage directly with the mechanics of human sight.