Optical Illusions of Bridget Riley

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Influenced by pointillism and by Vasarely, Bridget Riley initially specialized in geometric abstract paintings in black and white. In the 1970's, she added color.

Her paintings of large size, with unlimited pattern, are fascinating in the proper meaning of that word. Inspecting the image, we end up not knowing what to see, and it is hard to go away.

In this February, fans of this period are particularly well served.

Yesterday, February 5, Sotheby's London sold 735 K £ including fees "Gala", 160 x 160 cm, painted in 1974. The sinuous lines are tight and equidistant, except against oblique stripes as they tighten even more. Depending on whether or not we are a poet, we see waves or corrugated iron.

The painting that Christie's will sell on 11 February, also in London, is more interesting, although it is estimated less: 400 K £. Entitled "Aurulum", painted later (1977), smaller (132 x 122 cm), it has a surprising effect of colors. The sinuous lines have the same characteristics as "Gala" but the surface is composed of pale colors whose boundaries are not the same as those of the oblique stripes. We want to see how these colors are juxtaposed but the vision is blurred by the lines, and the light does not stabilize.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Christie's failed to sell their painting of Riley. Unfortunately !