Edna Andrade

Key facts

Lived

1917–2008, American^[2]

Movement

• op art

^[2]

Works held in

6 museums^[1]

Wikipedia

View article

Plan your visit to see Edna Andrade →

• What is Edna Andrade known for?+

  Edna Andrade is known for her geometric paintings, which are direct statements of her method. Her 48-inch square oil "Motion 4-64" generates optical illusions through pattern alone, without narrative or symbolic content.
• What is Edna Andrade's most famous work?+

  It is difficult to identify one single "most famous" work by Edna Andrade, but several pieces recur in discussions of her output. Andrade is best known for her Op art paintings, which explore optical illusions and geometric abstraction. She produced a large body of work, and her pieces are held in numerous public and private collections. Some frequently cited examples include "Color Motion 18" (1965^[2]), a work that uses precise geometric patterns to create a sense of movement and depth. "Interplay" (1965) similarly uses geometric forms and colour relationships to generate a visually stimulating effect. Other notable pieces include "Motion 8" (1964) and "Cool Rules" (1976), both of which demonstrate her continued interest in exploring perception through abstract forms. These paintings are typical of her mature style, characterised by hard-edged shapes and carefully calibrated colour palettes.
• What should I know about Edna Andrade's prints?+

  Edna Andrade's prints are considered original prints if the work was created specifically to be a print. Each print in a limited edition is regarded as an original because the artist creates the artwork directly on the plate, woodblock, stone, or screen. These original prints are often sold through specialist print galleries, frame shops, decorating outlets, and fine-art galleries. The number of prints in an edition is decided by the artist. The sequential numbering provides an accounting for the number of prints in the edition. Each print has a specific number; for example, 12/25 (the edition is 25, the particular print is number 12). The artist usually signs each print in pencil. Offset reproductions, also known as posters, are reproduced by photochemical means. Since the plates used in offset reproductions do not wear out, there are no physical limits on the number of prints that can be made. Quantities, however, may still be limited by the publisher in order to add value to the edition.
• What style or movement did Edna Andrade belong to?+

  Edna Andrade is associated with Op Art, also known as Optical or Retinal art. This movement developed partly from Concrete Art and De Stijl. Op Art gained traction after the 1955^[2] exhibition *Le Mouvement* at Galerie Denise René in Paris. A decade later, *The Responsive Eye* at the Museum of Modern Art in New York further popularised the style. Op Art explores illusions and optical effects using geometric shapes and strong colours, often in black and white. The precise arrangement of lines and repetitive forms creates optical effects, making static images appear to move. Artists like Victor Vasarely and Bridget Riley are considered original Op artists. Later artists such as Marina Apollonio, Carol Brown Goldberg, Tauba Auerbach, and Caroline Kryzecki have expanded on these initial ideas. Some critics, however, have dismissed Op Art as superficial.
• What techniques or materials did Edna Andrade use?+

  Information about Edna Andrade's specific techniques is scarce in the provided texts. However, the passages do offer some general context about artistic techniques. Artists make choices that exist outside the limitations of their materials. A comprehension of the techniques and processes used by artists is needed; this includes understanding the relationship between the qualities of the medium, the technique, and the aesthetic choices made by the artist. For example, Caravaggio employed soft, fine brushes and a fluid oil medium to achieve smooth surfaces. It is thought that he used linseed oil, which dries more quickly than walnut oil. El Greco may have used small clay models to arrange figures and may have made oil studies for his paintings. His technique involved applying animal-skin size to the stretched canvas, followed by a ground of red ochre and gesso tempered with linseed oil. He then sketched the composition's outlines and blocked in light areas with white or pale grey oil paint.
• What was Edna Andrade known for?+

  Edna Andrade (1917^[2]-2008^[2]) was an American^[2] Op artist, associated with geometric abstraction and explorations of visual perception. After studies at the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art (now the University of the Arts), she taught design there from 1940^[2] to 1975. Her early work included representational painting; however, a trip to Florence in the mid-1950s exposed her to Italian art and architecture, which shifted her focus. By the 1960s, Andrade had developed her signature style: hard-edged geometric forms, repeated patterns, and mathematically precise compositions that created optical effects. She aimed to stimulate the viewer's perception, producing sensations of movement, depth, and afterimages. Common shapes included squares, triangles, and circles, arranged in ways that tested the limits of human vision. Although some artists engaged in "visual research", Andrade's work was not directly associated with that movement. Andrade received recognition through solo and group exhibitions. Her art is included in museum collections, such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
• When did Edna Andrade live and work?+

  Edna Andrade was an American^[2] artist known for her Op Art paintings and prints. While specific dates of her life and career are absent from the provided texts, the documents do give insight into the periods she was active. A series of works are listed from 1938^[2] to 1948. These include watercolours and collages. Many are identified by musical terms such as "Pizzicato", "Largo", "Scherzo", and "Andante". The works from the 1930s include collages such as "Gray in Gray" (1939) and "Intensity" (1939). The works from the 1940s are primarily watercolours, with some collages. Titles from 1948 include "Animated Contrasts", "White Circle", and "Red Circle #11". These titles suggest an interest in colour, shape, and composition.
• Where can I see Edna Andrade's work?+

  Edna Andrade's paintings and prints can be viewed in several public collections. The Philadelphia Museum of Art holds a number of her works, reflecting her long association with the city. Other museums with Andrade's pieces include the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, also in Philadelphia, and the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh. Beyond Pennsylvania, her art has been collected by institutions such as the Smithsonian American^[2] Art Museum in Washington, D.C. These collections offer opportunities to study the development of her style, from early abstract works to her later Op art pieces. For those interested in a more focused experience, periodic exhibitions dedicated solely to Andrade's output are held at galleries and museums. These events provide a deeper look into specific periods or themes within her wider body of work. Checking museum websites and exhibition listings will provide the most up-to-date information on where her art is currently on display.
• Who did Edna Andrade influence?+

  Edna Andrade's influence is most apparent in the generations of Philadelphia-based artists who followed her. As a teacher at the Philadelphia College of Art (now the University of the Arts) from 1958^[2] to 1983, she directly impacted many students. While it is difficult to trace specific influences, her Op art aesthetic and geometric abstraction have clear echoes in the work of later artists exploring similar styles. Her emphasis on precision, colour theory, and the creation of optical effects provided a framework for others to build upon. Furthermore, Andrade's position as a successful woman artist in a male-dominated field offered an example for female artists navigating the art world. Andrade's work also helped to pave the way for greater acceptance of abstract art in Philadelphia. Her public art projects, such as the Percent for Art commission at the Family Court Building, exposed a wider audience to non-representational art. This created a more receptive environment for other artists working in abstract styles.
• Who influenced Edna Andrade?+

  Edna Andrade's artistic development involved several influences. Early exposure to art came during childhood trips to museums with her mother. She studied art at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women (now Moore College of Art & Design), where she later taught. Her work moved toward abstraction after exposure to Josef Albers's theories on colour and perception. Albers's book, *Interaction of Color* (1963^[2]), explores how colours change depending on context. Op art, with its geometric forms and optical illusions, also impacted Andrade. She began creating her own version of hard-edge abstraction in the 1960s. Andrade's mature style combines geometric abstraction with colour theory. This approach distinguishes her from other Op artists. Her background in design also played a role. She synthesised various elements into a personal style of geometric art.
• Who was Edna Andrade?+

  Edna Andrade (1917^[2]-2008^[2]) was an American^[2] abstract artist, sometimes associated with the Op Art movement. Born in Bridgeton, New Jersey, she spent most of her career in Philadelphia. She studied at the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art (now the University of the Arts), earning a Bachelor of Science in Art Education in 1938^[2]. She also took courses at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. After graduation, she taught art in public schools and at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art. From 1958 to 1983, she taught at the Philadelphia College of Art, later renamed the University of the Arts. Andrade's work often features geometric patterns and precise lines, creating optical effects through colour and form. She worked in various media, including painting, drawing, and serigraphy. Her art has been exhibited in the United States and Europe.
• Why are Edna Andrade's works important today?+

  Edna Andrade (1917^[2]-2008^[2]) was an American^[2] abstract artist known for her Op art paintings and serigraph prints. Her work uses geometric forms and careful colour relationships to create optical effects; these can appear to move or vibrate. Andrade's art is important because it provides an example of how mathematical concepts can be used in visual art. Her compositions explore perception, and they invite viewers to consider how their eyes and brains interpret visual information. Although Andrade's career began in the mid-20th century, her explorations of pattern, colour, and perception continue to resonate with contemporary audiences interested in abstraction and new media. Her art also provides a historical link to the Op art movement of the 1960s, offering insight into the development of abstract art in America.