Square Limit 1964

This tessellated wood engraving, Square Limit, was created by M.C. Escher, using a carefully planned but intuitive approach. The eye is immediately drawn into the center, where a tightly packed square grid contrasts with the softer forms. The work is all about surface, the texture of the printmaking process, and the sharp contrast between black and white areas. Notice how the fish motifs emerge from the geometric framework, creating an alternating pattern of light and shadow. Each fish is meticulously rendered, and together they suggest a sense of motion and flow, inviting us to follow their path across the plane. Look closely at the way each fish interacts with its neighbors. Escher reminds me of Bridget Riley, though her Op Art has a very different sensibility. They both create these repeating patterns that challenge our perception and draw us into an alternative reality, one built on the principles of geometry, repetition, and surprise. Escher shows us that art can be a form of exploration, where fixed or definitive meanings give way to ambiguity.