![]() ![]() Some of his prints combine both 2 and 3-dimensional images with a startling effect as demonstrated in “Reptiles” (7). He was very successful at depicting the real world in 2-dimensional plane as well as at translating the principles of regular division onto a number of 3-dimensional objects such as spheres, columns, and cubes. More than 150 of colorful works testify to his ingenuity in regular division of plane. His understanding of mathematics was largely visual and intuitive, and his works display a strong mathematical component (6). This article will explore the intimate relationship between Islamic art and Escher’s work, in particular the significance of themes with “flat surfaces” and “flat surfaces with respect to pictorial representations.” Brief summary of Escher's artĮscher produced 448 lithographs, woodcuts, and wood engravings and over 2000 drawings and sketches during his lifetime (1). He was fascinated and inspired by the spiritual significance of the tile work at the palace, and Islamic patterns played a key role in transforming his art (5). In fact, Escher’s 1922 visit to the Alhambra Palace in Spain was the turning point in his life. One can even use Islamic art and tessellation techniques to generate Escher-like drawings. A person who is familiar with Islamic art immediately notices the deep connection between Escher’s transformational geometry and tessellations, and that of Islamic patterns. ![]() Tessellation of a plane, also called tiling, is the mosaic formed by filling the plane with no gaps and no overlaps. ![]() Escher, a professor of geology, in solving crystallography problems (4). For example, some of his sketches helped his half-brother B.G. Escher has also inspired scientists in their academic studies. Escher’s rendering of “Horseman” was used by Chen Ning Yang, a physicist and Nobel Prize winner, to illustrate his new hypothesis involving symmetry and its application to quantum physics (3). In 1952, Herman Weyl, a Princeton mathematician, used Escher’s famous work “Symmetry” for his book cover. Lewis indicates that Escher’s prints entail a systematic approach combined with an ingenious argument similar to the most beautiful results in algebra. Furthermore, respected scientists have realized that his works are simple illustrations of sophisticated theories (2). At the same time, they exhibit a rich and artistic talent unrivaled by most. His exquisite and mind boggling pictures are drawn from the mathematical world of symmetry, topology, transformational geometry, and regular divisions of the plane. Currently, one can see his work on posters, book covers, calendars, wall hangings, and many web sites enjoyed by millions of people all over the world (1). “Ascending and Descending”) and transformation prints (e.g. Escher portrayed realistic objects like fish, birds, and other animals, in his drawings and prints.Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898–1972) is one of the world’s most famous graphic artists of impossible structures (e.g. MC Escher is known as a master of tessellation artwork. Tessellations have been used for thousands of years in architectural designs and structures. The squares meet with no overlapping and can be extended on a surface forever. ![]() For example, a checkerboard is a tessellation comprised of alternating colored squares. Tessellations are connected patterns made of repeating shapes that cover a surface completely without overlapping or leaving any holes. He became known for his detailed realistic prints that achieved bizarre optical and conceptual effects. He was a draftsman, book illustrator, tapestry designer, and muralist, but his main work was as a printmaker. Maurits Cornelis Escher was a Dutch graphic artist born in 1898 who made mathematically inspired woodcuts, lithographs, and mezzotints. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |