Symmetry Watercolor 55 Fish 1942

Here, we observe M.C. Escher's tessellated design of 'Symmetry Watercolor 55 Fish'. At first glance, the composition is dominated by three distinct blocks of color: yellow, blue, and brown, each forming the shape of a fish, interlocking seamlessly to fill the space. The materiality of the watercolor lends a fluidity to the forms, softening the geometric precision inherent in tessellations. Escher masterfully explores the relationship between figure and ground, playing with symmetry and repetition. The arrangement can be understood through the lens of structuralism, where each fish acts as a sign, contributing to a larger system. The fish shapes, precisely rendered, challenge our perception of order within complexity, reflecting broader philosophical concerns about the nature of reality. Notice how Escher uses color to define each figure distinctly, preventing the forms from merging into abstraction. This meticulous separation reinforces the visual impact of the tessellation, allowing the eye to trace the pattern's underlying structure. The interplay between the individual elements and the whole destabilizes fixed notions of space and form, inviting continual re-interpretation.