Palm Tree 1923

M.C. Escher conjured this Palm Tree with ink, I imagine scratching away, pulling white out of darkness in a concentrated act of looking and mark-making. You know, I can almost feel Escher’s hand moving as he methodically builds up the texture of the palm leaves. The fronds seem to explode outwards, each line so carefully placed, creating this radiating pattern that almost vibrates on the page. I bet he was fascinated by the challenge of rendering three-dimensionality with only black and white! Escher wasn't just depicting what he saw; he was inventing a whole way of seeing. I love how he took something as simple as a tree and turned it into a mind-bending exercise in perception. So, think about how his relentless exploration of pattern and perspective continues to inspire artists to push the boundaries of what’s possible.