Mural Mosaic in The Alhambra 1922

This is M.C. Escher's study of the Alhambra mosaics. He made it without dates or specific materials. Look at how Escher approaches this intricate mosaic. The precise lines and considered palette, hint at a process of careful observation and translation, of artmaking as a form of attentive looking. The interplay between the colored shapes and linear outlines in this mosaic creates an optical push and pull. Colors are applied in thin washes, while stark white lines trace the edges of each shape, creating a layered and dynamic surface. See how each star and polygon are defined by these white borders, simultaneously emphasizing their distinctiveness and their interconnectedness within the larger geometric system. It reminds me a little of Hilma af Klint's approach to abstract forms. In both cases, the artists are driven by a desire to explore the hidden structures and patterns that shape reality.