Bookplate Heleen van Thienen 1917

This woodcut, created by M.C. Escher in 1917, is a bookplate depicting two birds facing each other. The birds are positioned within a circular frame, with the text "Ex Libris Heleen van Thienen 1917" inscribed in a stylized font. The design is characteristic of Escher's early work, featuring bold, black lines and a simplified, geometric style. Bookplates, like this one, are small, often printed designs that were glued to the inside cover of a book to indicate ownership. This particular bookplate, created for Heleen van Thienen, demonstrates Escher's early experimentation with printmaking and his fascination with pattern and form.