Scholastica Illustration 1932

M.C. Escher pulled this illustration out of who knows where using ink, likely sometime in the 1930s. Look at that mark making – the way the white lines carve figures out of the black ground. There’s a real sense of play between the positive and negative space. Escher's textures vary, from the smooth, flat black to the intricate scales on the fish-creature. And notice the diagonal lines that seem to propel everything upwards and to the right; they give the whole composition a sense of chaotic energy. The details are just wild, a bizarre dinner party at the bottom and a parade of fantastical beings above, with everyone from winged demons to mer-people in the mix. It is like a stream of consciousness, dreamlike and a little disturbing. Escher reminds me of Hilma af Klint, who also explored esoteric and symbolic imagery. Like her, he wasn’t afraid to dive into the unknown and give form to his inner visions. It's art that makes you think, question, and maybe even embrace the weirdness of it all.