Initial V 1931

"Initial V" (1931) is a woodcut by Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher, known for his intricate and often paradoxical imagery. This artwork features a central, distorted human figure in a posture of despair, surrounded by multiple, grotesque, animal-like faces. The stark black and white design, achieved through the woodcut medium, emphasizes the unsettling nature of the imagery. The piece exemplifies Escher’s early exploration of graphic techniques and his fascination with portraying human and animal forms in a disturbing, yet visually compelling, manner.