Escher's Father, G.A. Escher 1916

M.C. Escher made this print of his father, G.A. Escher. It’s a dreamy, almost ghostly portrait in purple ink on white paper. I can imagine Escher carefully carving the linoleum block, translating the nuances of his father’s face into a pattern of lines and shapes, thinking about their relationship. He painstakingly cuts away at the surface to produce a likeness of his father, with these sharp, precise cuts forming the details of his face and suit. Look at the way Escher simplified the forms, reducing them to their most essential elements! The geometric patterns of the hair and suit create a sense of structure. His dad’s expression, which is serious and contemplative, is captured so well. It makes me wonder if Escher was thinking about his own life path, maybe contemplating his legacy too. It's a reminder that artmaking is an act of translation, of giving form to the intangible, where each artist contributes to a broader conversation.