Carlos Cruz-Diez (Venezuelan, 1923-2019)

Paintings

Carlos Cruz-Diez was a painter and sculptor who was a founding member of the Op-Art movement, which used colorful geometric shapes to create kinetically energized paintings. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Cruz-Diez would become interested in painting thanks to a trip to Europe at a young age. His interest in the colors of the European countryside inspired him to open his own studio. 

His work, which explored the moire effect (using contrasting colors to give the impression of movement), would prove to be divisive from the start. While his MoMA show, “The Responsive Eye” (along with other artists of the Op-Art movement) would bring him into the mainstream, it was not a critical success. Cruz-Diez would prove to be justified, as the popularity of the Op-Art movement continued to inspire a new generation of artists. He was awarded the Commandeur de L’Ordre des Arts et Des Lettres by the French government in 2002 for his contribution to the art world. He passed away on July 27, 2019.

How many paintings did Carlos Cruz-Diez create?

Carlos Cruz-Diez was extremely prolific in his seven decade career. There isn’t an exact number known of how many paintings he created, though his work has been featured in 1180 collective exhibitions, 286 solo exhibitions, over 140 architectural works, and 65 “ephemeral events.” His work is on display or in the permanent collection of over 62 museums -- all around the world. 

How often do Carlos Cruz-Diez paintings come up for auction?

The Op-Art paintings of Carlos Cruz-Diez experienced a huge uptick in attention, thanks in large part to the artist’s passing on July 27, 2019. While 2017 was a down year, Latin American paintings overall have been going through something of a renaissance the past five years in regard to their Compound Annual Returns (CAR). Carlos Cruz-Diez paintings are helping lead that charge.   

How much are Carlos Cruz-Diez paintings worth?

Carlos Cruz-Diez originals typically starts at about $15,000 USD with prices trending up into the tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Recently, scarcity has helped the worth of many of his paintings. More Cruz-Diez Op Art paintings have come on the market after his recent passing, but they have not yet caught up with demand. 

What Carlos Cruz-Diez painting is the most famous?

While Carlos Cruz-Diez helped to inspire an entire generation of artists with his MoMA show, “The Responsive Eye” (1969), his installation at the Simon Bolivar airport in Venezuela is perhaps his best known work. Popularized by many, many social media posts thanks to its colorful zigzagging tiles, this piece has gained notoriety because of the political unrest and upheaval in the region. 

What are the most famous paintings by Carlos Cruz-Diez?

Carlos Cruz-Diez was one of the main creators of the Kinetic Art and Op-Art movements in the 1950s and 1960s. His inclusion in the show “The Responsive Eye” at Moma in 1969 was a polarizing event in the art community. Transchrome (2007), Chromosaturation (1999), and Chromointerférence Mécanique (1966) are all hallmarks of the Cruz-Diez style.