Thus, for the student of mathematics, Escher’s work encompasses two broad areas: the geometry of space, and what we may call the logic of space. He was also fascinated with paradox and “impossible” figures, and used an idea of Roger Penrose’s to develop many intriguing works of art. He is of course also much imitated.Īs his work developed he drew great inspiration from the mathematical ideas he read about, often working directly from structures in plane and projective geometry, and eventually capturing the essence of non-Euclidean geometries, as we will see below.
Reproductions of his work remain in strong demand, and he has inspired thousands of other artists to pursue mathematical themes in their own work. His work eventually appeared not only in printed form, but as commissioned or imitative sculptures on public buildings, as decorations on everything from neckties to mousepads, and in software written to automate the reproduction and manipulation of tesselations. Zeno’s Paradox of the Tortoise and AchillesĮscher-like motif on a building in The Hague, Netherlands.
