Victor VASARELY

Do you have a piece by Victor Vasarely in your possession and would like to know its value? Our Experts will carry out a free appraisal of your piece, provide you with an estimate of the market price, and then help you to sell at the best possible price.

Quote, price and estimation of the artist Victor Vasarely

Price of a painting signed Vasarely: 4,000 – 500,000€.

Estimation of a drawing or watercolour for auction: 500 – 45,000€.

Vaserely’s quotation for a sculpture: 600 – 6,000€.

Average estimate of a print at auction: 200 – 8,000€.

If you would like to have a painting by the artist appraised, our painting experts are at your disposal for a free appraisal.

Training with the biggest names

Victor Vasarely is a painter born in Hungary, in Pécs, in 1907 and died in Paris in 1997.

In 1925 he began studying medicine, which he left after two years to devote himself to art. Fascinated by the Bauhaus, in 1929 he entered the Muhëly, a Budapest school modelled on the Bauhaus. From then on, he was inspired by the greatest Walter Gropius, Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee.

These studies would have a considerable influence on his entire career: it was during this period that he was introduced to abstract art and constructivism.

In 1930 Victor Vasarely moved to Paris where he worked as a graphic designer and as a draughtsman in various advertising agencies.

Towards abstraction

Between 1930 and 1947, he undertook graphic experiments in which light, perspective and lines took centre stage. From 1935 onwards, he began to paint canvases that betrayed cubist and surrealist influences. Initially still figurative, his works tended more and more towards abstraction.

Pure forms and colours are the foundations of Vasarely’s pictorial research. From 1951 to 1958, his works are characterised by juxtapositions of colours and geometric forms that contrast with each other. From 1958, the artist devoted himself to kineticism and from 1960, undoubtedly under the influence of pop art, the colours of his canvases became increasingly vivid.

The Vega period, explored as early as 1968, remains undoubtedly the most famous. Inspired by planets or cells, the artist represents geometric shapes in volumes, deformed by their swelling.

The success of modernity

Victor Vasarely enjoyed a strong reputation during his lifetime. In addition to his pictorial experiments, he carried out public and private commissions integrated within the Parisian public space. Among others, he painted the portal of the University of Caracas (1957) and the portrait of President Georges Pompidou in the Hall de Beaubourg (1977).

In 1969 a retrospective exhibition in Budapest paid homage the artist.

Leaving behind him a very prolific work, Victor Vasarely is particularly present on the art market.

Works from the early artistic periods, such as Zèbras (1932-42), awarded 566 461 euros (Christie’s, London, 7 March 2017) are as much appreciated as those from later periods. For example, Diuru (P.912), one of the works that best reflects the artist’s kinetic research, was awarded 180 521 euros by Christie’s on 28 September 2016.

Vasareli died on 15 March 1997, at the age of 90. The last retrospective exhibition devoted to his work took place at the Centre George Pompidou from 6 February to 6 May 2019.

Recognising Vasarely’s signature

Like many artists, Victor Vasarely did not sign all of his works. However, you will find below an example of the signatures to give you an idea. Variations of these signatures do exist, do not hesitate to contact one of our experts to formally authenticate a signature.

Appraising and selling a piece by Victor Vasarely

If you own a piece by Victor Vasarely or any other object, ask for a free estimate via our online form.

You will then be contacted by a member of our team of experts and auctioneers to give you an independent view of the market price of your piece. In the context of a possible sale, our specialists will also advise you on the different options available to sell your work at the best price.