Skip to main content

Jesús Rafael Soto Figurative Paintings

1923-2005

Venezuelan Op and kinetic painter and sculptor Jesús Rafael Soto (1923–2007) is perhaps best known for his immersive installations, which respond to their environments and physically absorb the viewer in a dynamic sensory experience.

The exploration of space is central to Soto’s work. This is evident in his early paintings, of the 1950s, which create the illusion of movement through simple compositions and a limited palette. During the same period, he integrated industrial materials like nylon and steel into linear constructions that were part painting, part sculpture.

But Rafael Soto’s grandest and most enigmatic creations are his “Pénétrables.” Made up of thousands of long clear or colored plastic strands suspended from the ceiling or from free-standing steel or PVC frames, these geometric sculptures play with the perception of space, inviting viewers to act as participants by moving within and through them.

The strips of some of the installations were partly painted, forming shapes when seen from a distance. The Houston Penetrable (2014), at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, for instance, appears to hold a floating yellow ellipse.

Rafael Soto created 25 “Pénétrables” over the course of his career. Each further blurred the line between reality and illusion and established viewers as not just spectators but as integral parts of the artwork itself.

Shop Jesús Rafael Soto's art now at 1stDibs.

to
1
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
24
467
319
256
229
1
Artist: Jesús Rafael Soto
MIROIRS D ARTISTE (3D WALL SCULPTURE)
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Aventura, FL
Mirrored glass and silkscreened plexiglass wall sculpture. Incised artist signature and edition on verso. From the EA edition of 20 (there is also the main edition of 99). Artwork...
Category

Late 20th Century Contemporary Jesús Rafael Soto Figurative Paintings

Materials

Mirror, Plexiglass, Screen

Related Items
Contemporary modern multicolour sculptural painting Farbl. grün gelb orange
Located in Doetinchem, NL
Farblichtung grün gelb orange is a unique one-of-a-kind contemporary modern sculptural painting by German artist Sybille Pattscheck. Her sculptural paintings are made by applying num...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jesús Rafael Soto Figurative Paintings

Materials

Plexiglass, Wax, Pigment

Contemporary modern naples yellow sculptural painting Farblichtung neapelgelb
Located in Doetinchem, NL
Farblichtung neapelgelb is a unique one-of-a-kind contemporary modern sculptural painting by German artist Sybille Pattscheck. Her sculptural paint...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jesús Rafael Soto Figurative Paintings

Materials

Plexiglass, Wax, Pigment

"The Playful Journey" Acrylic on Copper Abstract Composition 1997
By Stephen Schulz
Located in Soquel, CA
Bold and dynamic abstract composition titled "The Playful Journey" by Stephen Schulz (American, b. 1948). Schulz has used various types of acrylic paint, mixed with silicon to create a variety of textures. Signed and dated "Schulz 97" on verso, with an inscription that reads "For Leo and his Beautiful Family". Wood support frame on verso. Stephen Schulz (American, b. 1948) is an artist who has lived and worked in Fresno and Santa Cruz, California, and Cedar Grove, New Jersey. He has studied privately with Julie Connell, Jan Daniels, Michele Faia, Elle Fielder, Sal Pecoraro, Susan Stover, and Chris Volpe. Artist’s Statement: “My painting and artistic expression opens the doorway into an unconscious and creative world, where an uninhibited expression can take place, as one becomes immersed without the perception of time. Painting and design started it. From the beginning the process of transforming materials into art has struck me as a magical alchemy and, over the years, that mysterious process has had its hold on me, leading me from hobby to art. The creative process fills me with a sense of wonder and has proven a most amenable vehicle for transforming inner vision to outer reality. I paint from the inside out. Though I work quite deliberately, consciously employing both traditional and innovative techniques, my unconscious is the region of the most fertile of creative soil. I love working with a full complement of colors but often find my design direction working within the narrow spectrum of black and white, shadow and light. Some of my early inspiration comes from the New York School and artists such as Franz Kline and Jackson Pollock. Their ideas and techniques have helped to free my mind to explore areas of the unconscious that aren’t restricted by the world of right and wrong, good and bad. The journey continues and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to explore this exquisite world of the creative process.” Education: University of Oklahoma: 1966-1967 Canada College, AA Degree: 1972-1974 University of California: 1974-1975 Exhibitions: 2014 - Studio show Fresno, CA 2010 - Dubai (UAI) Animal rights show; Gallery 10, Washington, DC 2008, 2009 - Jia Salon & Gallery, Fresno, CA 2007 - Studio Exhibition 2006 - Cabrillo College 2004 - Studio Exhibition 2000, 2001, 2002 - Rollf's Gallery, Fresno, CA 2000 - Studio show; Bridgeport Gallery, CT 1999 - Tercera Gallery, Los Gatos, CA; Matt Miller Design, SF, CA 1998 - Robin Hutchins Gallery, NJ; Teroera Gallery Los Gatos, CA; Verve Gallery Los Angeles, CA; Open Studio Aptos, CA; Brigitte Bohlem, Hamburg, Germany 1997 - Robin Hutchins Gallery, NJ; Teroera Gallery, Los Gatos, CA; Verve Gallery, Los Angeles, CA; The Pope Gallery, Santa Cruz, CA; Hanson Art Source, Tennessee 1996 - Robin Hutchins Gallery, NJ; Teroera Gallery Los Gatos, CA; Verve Gallery, Los Angeles, CA; The Pope Gallery Santa Cruz, CA; Hanson Art Source, Tennessee; Barlett Fine Arts, Pleasant, CA; Birchstone, Gallery, Wisconsin 1995 - Abrahamsen Design; Teroera Gallery Los Gatos, CA; Verve Gallery, Los Angeles, CA; The Pope Gallery Santa Cruz, CA; Hanson Art Source, Tennessee; Barlett Fine Arts, Pleasant, CA; Birchstone, Gallery, Wisconsin; l&I Gallery, NJ; Gillen Design, London Ontario Canada...
Category

1990s Abstract Expressionist Jesús Rafael Soto Figurative Paintings

Materials

Copper

Glass River - Abstract Wall Sculpture with Cloth and Glass
Located in Soquel, CA
Glass River - Abstract Wall Sculpture with Cloth and Glass Abstract wall sculptures by Cassandra Jacobs (American, b. 1964). This piece features an intriguing interplay of materials...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jesús Rafael Soto Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Stretcher Bars, Glass

Contemporary modern light blue sculptural painting Farblichtung hellblau
Located in Doetinchem, NL
Farblichtung hellblau is a unique one-of-a-kind contemporary modern sculptural painting by German artist Sybille Pattscheck. Her sculptural paintings are made by applying numerous la...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jesús Rafael Soto Figurative Paintings

Materials

Plexiglass, Wax, Pigment

Contemporary modern yellow orange sculptural painting Farblichtung gelb orange
Located in Doetinchem, NL
Farblichtung gelb orange is a unique one-of-a-kind contemporary modern sculptural painting by German artist Sybille Pattscheck. Her sculptural paintings are made by applying numerous...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jesús Rafael Soto Figurative Paintings

Materials

Plexiglass, Wax, Pigment

Wait, Weight - Abstract Wall Sculpture with Reflective Spheres (Pair)
Located in Soquel, CA
Wait, Weight - Abstract Wall Sculpture with Reflective Spheres Abstract wall sculptures by Cassandra Jacobs (American, b. 1964). Each piece is constructed from plaster bandages, wra...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jesús Rafael Soto Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Plastic, Stretcher Bars

"Balls on the Line" Satirical Wood Panel Original Painting and Carving
Located in Soquel, CA
"Balls on the Line" Satirical Wood Panel Original Painting and Carving Elaborate collage, painting and carved sculpture by Mickey "Kano" Kane (American, 20th century). Ball's on the...
Category

1990s Outsider Art Jesús Rafael Soto Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Wood Panel

"Queen" African American Female Portrait, Rich Browns Lavenders, Sculptural
By Henry Heading
Located in Detroit, MI
“Queen” is a stunning iconic portrait of a young woman coming into the full flower of her beauty and developing power. She is set in a sculptural scene of softly rounded forms surrounded by blues, pinks and lavenders along with flowers and a small hummingbird. There is a quiet power and energy in the young woman as she appears to be on the verge of movement. That she is visually beautiful is actually beside the point for Henry has managed to capture in paint the inner beauty flowing from her presence. Henry says that, “Painting is like breathing for me. I do so daily and appreciate my gift and ability. Perfection drives me as I create each piece. It must be unique. It must stand out, and is not complete until that special quality is achieved in my eyes.” Being able to create is an essential part of my life. It is an extension of my innermost thoughts and imagination. My primary focus of art is realism--using oils and acrylics. Occasionally, I switch mediums and design and build three dimensional pieces. Working mixed mediums, I use various wood, metal and paint, thus allowing me to achieve the visual effects I am looking for. Many of my pieces have been derived from my attraction to Art Deco and Ethnic designs. I am not satisfied until each piece, regardless of the medium or size, has reached the highest possible level of aesthetic quality and craftsmanship I can give it. I have enjoyed creating art since childhood. While a student at Martin Luther King Jr. high school in Detroit, I created and presented a portrait to then Mayor Coleman A. Young. A scholarship from Center for Creative Studies now the College for Creative Studies afforded me the opportunity to work towards and receive a BA in Fine Arts. Faculty and graduates of CCS include Richard Jerzy, Harry Bertoia, Doug Chaing (currently director of Lucas Film), Stephen Dinehart (game maker, writer, designer connected with The David Lynch Foundation), Tyree Guyton (international artist), Herb Babcock, Jerome Feretti, Kevin Siembieda (writer, designer and publisher of role-playing games), Renee Radell, Philip Pearlstein, Charles McGee (nationally recognized African American sculptor of animal and dancing spirits), Philip Pearlstein (2000 Honorary Doctorate, Modern Realism style), John Louis Krieger (American Modern), William Girard (American Modern), and Charles Culver. Mr. Heading understands the joy found in art and how it affects a young person's heart. He has shared his love for art as a mentor/teacher at the Virgil L. Carr Center in Detroit, Michigan. Students not only grew in their art experience, but also exhibited at the Ann Arbor Art Fair. Winning the 2013 MI Great Artist Competition was an honor for Mr. Heading. He is thankful to Park West Gallery owner Albert Scaglione and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson for the opportunity. Mr. Heading has been featured on ASPIRE TV, shows at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the National Conference of Artists and other numerous galleries. In addition, he is a book illustrator. His murals create a beautiful focal point and conversation piece on the walls of homes, churches and health care facilities. His art and furniture is enjoyed and treasured by collectors across the United States and Canada. Kohei Suzuki, the former Mayor of Toyota City, Japan has a box designed by Henry. His first attempt at mosaic tile was creating a Tiger sculpture to benefit the Detroit Tigers...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jesús Rafael Soto Figurative Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Marilyn vs JFK JFK vs Marilyn
By Alex Guofeng Cao
Located in New York, NY
In a captivating new collection, Alex Guofeng Cao dazzles audiences with his unique twist on instantly recognizable images. Inspired by history and pop culture, Cao manipulates one iconic image to create another in his extraordinary large-scale works. From a distance, the pieces appear to be a singular image but as the viewer approaches closer, you find each work is a masterfully crafted compilation of minute detailed images layered next to one another, creating a mesmerizing and hypnotic optical illusion. Cao meticulously places each smaller image to form a dynamic gradient from dark to light which tricks the eye into seeing one image. This expertise in contrast is exemplified in all of his works, from striking black and white pieces to stunning explorations in high-definition color. He cleverly mirrors this visual contrast in his subject matter by subverting the main image and creating a dialogue between the macrocosm and microcosm. Take the piece, Ali vs Armstrong; here we see the iconic image of Muhammed Ali’s victory composed of thousands of tiny portraits...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Jesús Rafael Soto Figurative Paintings

Materials

Stainless Steel

A Sardines Sentence
By Darren LeGallo
Located in West Hollywood, CA
We are proud to premiere the latest works by American artist Darren LeGallo. Our second exhibition, Darren LeGallo, "From Destruction" has just opened at our West Hollywood gallery...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jesús Rafael Soto Figurative Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media

Wood Fired Ceramic Painting: Fire Painting 13.6.18
By Tony Moore
Located in New York, NY
My work is concerned with the relationship of humanity and nature. I conceive of an expanded concept of “Nature” as embodying all existence, both the seen and unseen, socio-politica...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jesús Rafael Soto Figurative Paintings

Materials

Stone

Jesús Rafael Soto figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Jesús Rafael Soto figurative paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Jesús Rafael Soto in glass, mirror, plastic and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Jesús Rafael Soto figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 20 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Itzchak Tarkay, Grace Graupe-Pillard, and Michael Knigin. Jesús Rafael Soto figurative paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $17,500 and tops out at $17,500, while the average work can sell for $17,500.

Still Thinking About These?

All Recently Viewed