Victor Vasarely *b. 1908 d. 1997

Famous Hungarian Artist.

Victor Vasarely was born in Pécs Hungary and spent his childhood living in Postyen Slovakia until his family moved to Budapest in 1919. In 1925 after finishing secondary school he spent five semesters studying medicine. But being a medical doctor would not be his fate. For three years 1927-29 he studied painting and modern art in Sándor Bortnyik's 'Bauhaus' workshop. Then having married his true love Karla Spinner they moved over to Paris where they both worked as commercial graphics artists.

They would have two children sons Andre and Jean-Pierre. The latter is now a painter signing by the name Yvaral. In 1944 Victor directed his full attention to his own styles of painting. And just a year after the end of WWII his first exhibit was held at the gallery of Denise René. Since then he has experienced several generations of painting styles and is most well known for his geometric optical works which use color combinations that are inviting to the eye. Vasarely has been awarded some of the highest honors in the world of art culture and society. His works have flown in space when a French astronaut took with him 157 original silk-screen Vasarely works aboard the Soviet spacecraft Salyut 7. He had been a widower living mostly in Paris and frequented his native Budapest since 1991. In 1992 he was made Honorary professor of the College of Fine Arts in Budapest.

His works have been on display and on sale throughout the world in both galleries of the highest order and smaller art galleries. In 1987 the Vasarely Museum in Óbuda was established. One can get there by taking the green HéV train from Batthyányi Tér subway station just across the River Danube from the Parliament. The Museum is located at the foot of the Árpád Bridge (Árpád 'Heed') in a large white rustic building next to the HéV train stop. For further information one can call the Vasarely Museum at (36-1) 250-1540.

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