Rossano, Calabria 1931

M.C. Escher made this wood engraving of Rossano, Calabria. There’s something about the sheer repetition of lines that grabs me in this print; it’s not just about representation, it's about a kind of system, a process. Look at how the parallel lines create a sense of depth and volume. The whole image is built from these marks, making it feel almost architectural. The way Escher uses black and white creates an intense contrast, highlighting the texture of the woodcut. You can almost feel the pressure of the tool carving out each line. The density of the lines varies, creating different tones and suggesting light and shadow, adding to the overall drama. Notice the way these lines gather around the distant forms, almost vibrating. Thinking about Escher's later, more mind-bending works, you can see how this early piece lays the groundwork for his exploration of perspective and illusion. There's a similar fascination with pattern, and a willingness to push the boundaries of how we see.