Alberobello: Trullo 1936

Editor: This drawing is entitled “Alberobello: Trullo” by M.C. Escher, created in 1936 using pencil. The conical shape of the building is what stands out to me, creating a somewhat playful architectural design. What do you make of it? Curator: Escher's work here provides an interesting formal study. Notice the contrasting textures: the rough, layered surface of the tiled roof against the smooth planes of the walls. The staircase jutting out from the structure breaks from traditional architectural lines and geometric structure, defying a flat surface by creating depth. How do these geometric elements interact in your opinion? Editor: They definitely guide my eye through the artwork. The repetitive patterns in the roof and the paving stones lead towards the small details, like the tiny windows and the finial at the top. But what purpose do those disjointed, almost floating sketches of the finial shapes have? Curator: Functionally, they act as studies. We are privy to Escher working through possibilities within the drawing. These small forms add visual layers on top of an already architecturally dynamic surface. Editor: So, it’s not just a drawing of a building, but a drawing *about* drawing. I didn’t realize how much the lines themselves contributed to the sense of place. Curator: Precisely. The stark linearity, almost rigid in its presentation, creates rhythm while conveying a three-dimensional structure onto a two-dimensional plane. Editor: I never would have picked up on those details looking at the artwork at first. It gives me a new appreciation for the visual components.