Arcadia
4 works
Bridget Riley Magenta And Blue For Sale
Bridget Riley
Magenta And Blue, 2002
Screenprint
33 7/8 x 22 1/2 in 86 x 57 cm
Edition
Edition of 75
About this work
Bridget Riley’s *Magenta* series from 2002 is distinguished by its vibrant interplay of color and bold, rhythmic patterning. As the name suggests, each work in this series centers on magenta, paired with other dynamic hues that create a unique visual experience in each composition. The use of magenta as a foundation allows Riley to explore how this intense color interacts with various complements, resulting in striking contrasts and harmonious blends that engage and challenge the viewer's perception. The chosen color pairings evoke different moods, demonstrating how subtle shifts in color relationships can shape emotional and sensory responses.This series is a continuation of Riley’s lifelong fascination with geometric abstraction and her mastery of optical effects. Each screen print features a structured yet playful arrangement of forms that seem to vibrate and pulse with energy, creating a sense of movement and depth. The compositions invite the viewer’s gaze to move rhythmically across the work, as shapes and colors interact in a dynamic dance that captures attention and sustains visual interest. Riley’s careful control over color intensity and placement results in optical effects that make each piece feel alive, as if the colors themselves were in motion.Riley’s *Magenta* series underscores her commitment to experimenting with form and color, pushing the boundaries of visual art to reveal new dimensions of perception. By focusing on a limited yet powerful color palette, she draws attention to the unique impact of color relationships within a structured framework. Each work in the series stands as a study in both visual harmony and tension, reflecting Riley’s dedication to exploring how color and form can evoke powerful, immediate reactions. The *Magenta* series adds another layer to her extensive body of work, capturing her evolving approach to abstraction while remaining rooted in her distinctive, experimental vision.
Price on Application
Auction History
Magenta and Blue; Magenta and Green; and Magenta and Yellow · Bridget Riley · Phillips · 2017-01 · $16,594
Magenta and Blue (Schubert 48) · Bridget Riley · Christie's · 2011-04 · $5,482
Three colours, blue, yellow and turquoise precipitating magenta · Bridget Riley · Sotheby's · 2005-06 · $44,013
Three colours (Blue, Yellow and Turquoise) Precipitating Magenta · Bridget Riley · Christie's · 2020-02 · $348,329
THREE COLOURS (BLUE, YELLOW ; TURQUOISE) PRECIPITATING MAGENTA · Bridget Riley · Sotheby's · 2014-07 · $221,652
More from this series
More series by Bridget Riley
About the Magenta Series
Explore Bridget Riley's acclaimed Magenta series, a defining collection that showcases the British abstract artist's mastery of color interaction and optical perception. Created during Riley's most innovative period, these works exemplify her signature stripe-based compositions, where precisely calculated color relationships generate dynamic visual movement and depth.
The Magenta series—featuring standout pieces such as Magenta And Yellow, Magenta And Green, and Magenta And Blue—demonstrates Riley's systematic exploration of how complementary hues vibrate against one another on canvas. Each work represents a distinct dialogue between magenta and its chromatic counterparts, inviting viewers into an immersive experience of visual rhythm and spatial illusion.
Riley's work commands significant collector interest and museum recognition, with her pieces appreciated for both their aesthetic impact and intellectual rigor. The Magenta series remains particularly sought-after, representing a crucial moment in Op Art's development and Riley's distinguished career.
Whether you're building a contemporary abstract collection or seeking investment-grade works by a major twentieth-century artist, these pieces offer enduring cultural significance and visual power. Enquire for availability and provenance details.
About Bridget Riley
Bridget Riley
Life and Practice
Bridget Riley (b. 1931, Norwood, London) is one of the foremost figures in twentieth-century abstract painting, internationally celebrated as a pioneer of Op Art. Educated at Goldsmiths College and the Royal College of Art, Riley spent time teaching before dedicating herself fully to painting in the early 1960s. Her early work — strict geometric compositions in black and white that induce powerful perceptual effects of motion, vibration, and depth — established her as a key innovator in art's engagement with visual perception. Movement in Squares (1961) and Fall (1963) are among the most celebrated works of the period, and remain among the defining images of British postwar art.Riley was awarded the International Prize for Painting at the 1968 Venice Biennale, cementing her international reputation. From the late 1960s, she began introducing colour into her work, working first with carefully limited Egyptian palettes and later a full range of hues, exploring stripe-based and diagonal compositions in which colour interaction becomes the primary subject. Her series including Orphean Elegy, The Seasons, and Rajasthan demonstrate the sustained rigour and beauty of this investigation. She continues to work from studios in London and Cornwall.