Tower of Babel 1928

Scared of heights? You might want to look away from this woodcut print by the Dutch artist Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898-1972). Completed in 1928, ‘Tower of Babel’ exemplifies Escher’s early experiments with extreme perspective. 🏙️ M.C. Escher often explored mathematical ideas of infinity and symmetry within his work. He largely went unrecognised during his lifetime, and his prints were only widely appreciated towards the end of the 1960s and beyond. Just think of the patience and skill it would take to create this level of detail! ✒️ According to the parable in the Book of Genesis, the Tower of Babel was built by a human race, the Babylonians, who shared a single language. The Babylonians desired for their structure to reach the heavens. God prevented this by introducing multiple languages, meaning the builders could no longer communicate. This print illustrates the moment in the narrative when languages are introduced. 🙊 Zoom into the figures which adorn the dizzying structure of the tower. Escher has depicted them in a variety of confused poses. Some gesture to the sky with raised hands, while others confront their coworkers in frustration. The tone is one of confusion and chaos; you can almost hear their shouts! 😵‍💫 The Tower of Babel and the ‘confusion of tongues’ is a popular subject in art through the ages. Escher’s treatment of the narrative is, however, unconventional. Here, Escher has made use of a birds’ eye perspective that emphasises the vastness of the tower. When paired with the precise geometry of his linework, the effect is dramatic and intense. What emotions do you feel when you look at this print? 👇💭 Editor: Lucy Jude Grantham