Sea Shells 1920

This is a lithograph titled 'Sea Shells', made by M.C. Escher. The print presents a collection of seashells arranged in a symmetrical pattern. The symbolic weight of shells dates back to ancient times, representing birth, death, and regeneration. The spiral form, prominent in several shells, is a universal symbol found across cultures, from the labyrinths of Crete to Celtic art, embodying growth and the unfolding of life's journey. Consider Botticelli's "Birth of Venus," where Venus emerges from a scallop shell, a symbol of divine birth and feminine mystique. The shell, therefore, is not merely a natural object but a vessel of cultural memory, loaded with meaning. Such recurring motifs tap into our collective unconscious, a psychoanalytic concept suggesting that certain symbols evoke primal emotions and archetypal associations. The meticulous detail and mirrored arrangement, characteristic of Escher's style, may psychologically evoke both harmony and a sense of being trapped in an eternal loop. Thus, the shells’ symbolism has been revived, reinterpreted, and reshaped throughout history.