Escher

The Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher first visited Italy in the 1920s before settling in Rome, where he lived for 12 years, until 1935. This Roman period had a strong influence on all his later work, which saw him prolific in the production of lithographs and etchings especially of landscapes, architecture and views of ancient and Baroque Rome that he loved to investigate in its most intimate dimension: under the veil of night, by the dim light of a lantern.

Published to accompany an exhibition at the Palazzo Bonaparte in Rome, this volume gathers over 300 works from the artist, with a particular focus on those made during his years in Rome. In addition to his early designs made in Italy, this wide-ranging survey documents Escher’s long career through a selection of his most iconic pieces, including Hand with Reflecting Sphere (1935), Bond of Union (1956), Metamorphosis II (1939), Day and Night (1938) and the Emblemata series. The book also features the complete series of 12 Roman Nocturnes produced in 1934. Only rediscovered relatively recently, Escher is beloved by those in the art world, but also by those who are passionate about mathematics, geometry, science, design and graphics. He stands alone in the panorama of art history as a singular visionary whose work melds a variety of themes and appeals to a wide range of audiences.

Maurits Cornelis (M.C.) Escher was born in the Netherlands in 1898, and died there in 1972. He is most known for his lithographs and woodcuts inspired by mathematics.