Prelim Drawing Ceiling Decoration for Philips_ 1951

This is a preliminary drawing for a ceiling decoration made by M.C. Escher, whose endlessly repeating patterns are so distinctive. Look closely and you can see how Escher builds this tessellated image. The basic materials are quite simple: ink and watercolor on paper. However, the real medium is geometry. Escher used these simple tools and combined them to create the illusion of infinite complexity. The design features rows of butterflies and birds, interlocked like tiles in a mosaic, and the artist plays with color to differentiate the motifs, creating a mesmerizing effect. Escher’s practice has links with both craft and industrial design; His prints were hugely popular, embraced by counter-cultural audiences. Escher was interested in how mass-produced images could still convey the sense of wonder. His achievement reminds us to appreciate the labor and the ingenuity that goes into even the most accessible forms of art.