San Cosimo, Ravello (January 1932) 1932

Editor: Here we have M.C. Escher's "San Cosimo, Ravello," created in 1932. It's a striking black and white print, seemingly a woodcut. The landscape feels both solid and dreamlike. What strikes you most about it? Curator: The stark contrasts and geometric rendering within a natural landscape draw my attention. I am drawn to how Escher positions a seemingly timeless Italian vista in the grips of Modernist abstraction. It begs the question, does this stylization subtly reflect the political tensions rising in Europe during the interwar period? Does the fractured aesthetic mirror societal anxieties about tradition clashing with rapidly changing ideologies? Editor: That's a fascinating perspective. I hadn’t considered the broader context of its creation. Are you suggesting the formal choices aren't merely aesthetic? Curator: Exactly. The choice to use such a graphic medium – the woodcut – could be interpreted as a commentary. Its history is often associated with printmaking used for disseminating information and social commentary, think of German Expressionist prints and their powerful messages during times of turmoil. By employing a technique so closely linked to socio-political movements within a seemingly peaceful scene, is Escher implying a deeper unease or instability? Or how might his lack of explicitly referencing these events signal his potential reluctance to publicly show his allegiances during such politically unstable times? Editor: I see what you mean. The high contrast emphasizes the stark division and doesn't offer a comfortable middle ground. I can see a push and pull. It’s really a beautiful landscape fraught with subtle implications. Curator: Precisely. It urges us to consider how even seemingly serene landscapes can be embedded with layered meanings reflecting the zeitgeist and complex social undertones in Europe. Thank you for pointing out how beautiful it is because the image may invite the audience to dig deeper. Editor: Thanks, that gave me a lot to think about!