Hand with Fir Cone c. 1921

"Hand with Fir Cone" is a 1921 woodcut by the Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher, known for his intricate and often paradoxical imagery. This artwork, created during Escher's early career, features a detailed and realistic depiction of a hand holding a fir cone against a dark background. The stark contrast between the light hand and cone and the black background emphasizes the three-dimensional quality of the subjects, hinting at Escher's later exploration of perspective and spatial illusion. The precise lines and meticulous detail characteristic of Escher's woodcut style are evident in the rendering of the hand and cone, further adding to the work's visual appeal. This artwork exemplifies Escher's early focus on natural forms, which later developed into his famous explorations of impossible structures and optical illusions.