Lizard 1937

This tessellation artwork, Lizard, was made by M. C. Escher who was born in 1898 and died in 1972. We can observe the entire plane consumed by interlocking figures of lizards, colored in contrasting browns and yellows. The arrangement achieves a mesmerizing visual effect. At first glance, the pattern appears to be a straightforward repetition. Yet, Escher masterfully plays with our perception, creating ambiguity between the figure and ground. Each lizard serves as both an individual entity and a component of the larger mosaic, challenging our understanding of spatial relationships. The pattern destabilizes traditional figure-ground relationships. Consider the implications of such a structure, especially given the era in which Escher worked. His play with tessellations and paradoxes reflects a broader artistic and intellectual quest to challenge fixed meanings. This subversion of established artistic conventions invites viewers to question the nature of reality and representation.