Scilla, Calabria (January 1931) 1931

This 1931 woodcut by M.C. Escher titled “Scilla, Calabria (January 1931)” captures the picturesque Italian coastal town of Scilla. The scene, rendered in a stark black and white, showcases Escher's early fascination with perspective and the interplay of light and shadow. The town’s architecture is depicted with meticulous detail, highlighting the intricate layering of houses and the dramatic cliffside setting. Boats in the harbor below add a sense of scale and tranquility to the composition, emphasizing the village's connection to the sea.