Nothing is quite what it seems in the universe of Maurits Cornelis Escher (widely known as M.C. Escher). The Dutch artist, famed for his graphic prints featuring infinite staircases, twisted perspectives and self-replicating animals, was a master of illusion in more ways than one.
Escher's pictures aren’t simply puzzles designed to play tricks on the brain; they were born of a desire to stretch our powers of perception, to encourage us to cultivate a natural curiosity and playfulness about the world around us. According to New York gallerist Skot Foreman, the artist had a rare gift. “He combined the structure and analytics of the left brain with the artistic creativity of the right brain,” Foreman explains. “Somehow, he turned images into mind-bending universes that were able to stretch the boundaries of our imagination, urging us to rethink the realms of possibility within nature’s laws of order.”
But creating illusionistic illustrations was not Escher’s only talent. He was also a passionate diarist, recording his thoughts and frustrations in written form throughout his life. He often lamented that his pictures could never fully convey his cerebral imaginings. At the same time, he expressed impatience with those who couldn’t see beyond the surface appeal of his shape-shifting patterns. Escher was an artist who sought perfection and felt misunderstood by the mainstream art world.
“The most important thing about Escher is that he was always curious, always researching and exploring. Most people lose this quality as they get older, but Escher maintained a childlike enthusiasm for the world,” says Dutch filmmaker Robin Lutz, whose thoughtful feature-length film, M.C. Escher: Journey to Infinity, marries documentary footage with animation and unfolds at an unhurried pace, allowing Escher’s witty and intelligent prose to gently guide us through his creative evolution.
Escher always carried a magnifying glass in his pocket to “enjoy the tiniest details” at his feet, be it a plant climbing a rock, a butterfly or a grasshopper. He had a real passion for travel and spent more than a decade in Rome with his wife, Jetta, and young family. It was there that he first played with multiple perspectives, sketching the city’s architecture at night to avoid the “excessive baroque frills” he deemed too distracting in the daylight. Another big development was sparked by a 1936 visit to the Alhambra palace in Granada, Spain. Inspired by the Moorish tiles of the 14th-century landmark, Escher started to experiment with repeating patterns, or tessellations, creating his first woodcuts and lithographs of metamorphosing birds, lizards and fish interlocking and filling the entire surface of the paper in jigsaw fashion.
During and directly after World War II, Escher produced many of his most famous works, emotional reactions to a world plunged into chaos. This period marked the start of his fascination with impossible staircases, never-ending waterfalls and cyclical still lifes featuring figures and creatures seemingly caught in a loop, a paradox of entrapment and renewal.
Indeed, the concept of infinity was a major inspiration for him. It informs his fish-eye studies and curvilinear perspectives, which cram in so much dizzying detail it’s impossible to know where one thing ends and another begins. It’s no wonder, then, that Escher’s probing, mind-expanding prints have such enduring appeal.
Find original M.C. Escher art on 1stDibs.
Between Sky and Water - Signed Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Between Sky and Water, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1938 Signed in the plate Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different...
Color
Surrealist Lovers - Signed Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Surrealist Lovers, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1935 Signed in the plate Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different) On...
Color
Metaphysics (Architecture in 4 Dimensions) - Signed Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Metaphysics, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1935 Signed in the plate Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different) On vellu...
Color
Birds and Fishes - Facsimile Lithograph, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Birds and Fishes, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1943 Unsigned Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different) On vellum 45 x...
Color
The Waterfall - Signed Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) The Waterfall, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1935 Signed in the plate Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different) On vel...
Color
NATURE - Flight of birds - Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Flight of birds, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1938 Unsigned Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different) On vellum 45 x ...
Color
NATURE - Autumn and Carp - Signed Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Birds and Fishes, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1943 Signed in the plate Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different) On ...
Color
NATURE - Flock of Birds - Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Flock of Birds, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1938 Unsigned Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different) On vellum 45 x 3...
Color
STILL LIFE - Reptiles - Signed Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Still life with reptiles, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1943 Signed in the plate Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be differ...
Color
The Impossible Castle - Signed Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) The Impossible Castle, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1935 Signed in the plate Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different...
Color
NATURE - Intertwined Lizards - Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Intertwined Lizards, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1938 Unsigned Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different) On vellum 4...
Color
Ascendant and Descendant - Signed Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Ascendant and Descendant, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1938 Signed in the plate Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be differ...
Color
The Medieval Army - Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) The Medieval Army, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1938 Unsigned Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different) On vellum 45 ...
Color
Reflecting Globe - Signed Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Reflecting globe, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1935 Signed in the plate Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different) On ...
Color
The Impossible Staircase - Signed Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) The Impossible Staircase, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1935 Signed in the plate Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be differ...
Color
$352
H 12.21 in W 9.26 in D 0.08 in
Animals - Original Lithograph By Jean Lurçat - Mid-20th Century
By Jean Lurçat
Located in Roma, IT
Animals is an original artwork realized by Jean Lurçat (1892 Bruyeres - 1966 St.-Paul-de-Vence) . Lithograph print, mid-20th Century. Perfect conditions. Jean Lurçat (1892-1966) ...
Lithograph
The Other Side, Modern Screenprint in the style of Felix Vallotton
Located in Long Island City, NY
Unknown Artist, in the style of Felix Vallotton - The Other Side, Year: 1974, Medium: Screenprint, signed, titled and numbered in pencil, Edition: 16/80, Image Size: 15 x 21 inch...
Screen
$1,156
H 15.75 in W 21.66 in
Robert Tavener - Cornfield and Downs - 20th Century British Landscape Linocut
By Robert Tavener
Located in London, GB
ROBERT TAVENER (1920-2004) Cornfield and Downs Signed, inscribed with title and numbered 45/75 Linocut Framed 40 by 55 cm., 15 ¾ by 21 ¾ in. (frame size 62 by 76.5 cm., 24 ¼ by 30...
Linocut
THE THAW
By William Seltzer Rice
Located in Santa Monica, CA
WILLIAM SELTZER RICE (1873 - 1963) THE THAW c 1915-20 Color woodcut, signed and titled in pencil. Image 8 7/8 x 12 inches, sheet 10 3/4 x 14 3/8 inches. On textured fibrous paper. V...
Color, Woodcut
$4,350
H 18.375 in W 21.25 in
20th century etching figurative landscape city street black and white signed
By Edgar Chahine
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Venise" is an original etching and chine colle by Edgar Chahine. This is an artist's proof, the third state of the etching, and the artist signed the piece in pencil lower right. Th...
Etching
$6,500
H 43.5 in W 33.25 in
'La Côte Basque' original lithograph travel poster with beach and golf
By Bernard Villemot
Located in Milwaukee, WI
This poster, titled 'La Côte Basque' in the image, was intended to draw people to travel to the Basque coast of Spain. The image is dominated by the serene blues, greens and yellows of the golf course and sandy beach. Throughout the vista, figures can be seen at leisure golfing, riding horseback, eating at restaurants, and sunbathing. 34 x 23.75 inches, poster 43.5 x 33.25 inches, image Signed in the stone, lower right Framed to conservation standards using archival materials including 100 percent rag mounting, UV5 Plexiglas to inhibit fading, and housed in a gold finished wood moulding with a 3-inch Belgian linen liner. Bernard Villemot (1911 – 1989) was a French graphic artist known primarily for his iconic advertising images for Orangina, Bally Shoe, Perrier, and Air France. He was known for a sharp artistic vision that was influenced by photography, and for his ability to distill an advertising message to a memorable image with simple, elegant lines and bold colors. From 1932 to1934, he studied in Paris with artist Paul Colin, who was considered a master of Art Deco. From 1945 to 1946, Villemot prepared posters for the Red Cross. In the late 1940s, he also began a famous series of travel posters for Air France that would continue for decades. In 1949, Villemot's works were exhibited with those of his contemporary poster artist Raymond Savignac at the Gallery of Beaux Arts in Paris. In 1953, Villemot began designing logos and posters for the new soft drink Orangina, and over time these works would become some of his best known. In 1963, the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris held an exhibition of his works. By the end of his life in 1989, he was known as one of the last great poster artists, and many collectors and critics consider him to be the "painter-laureate of modern commercial art." Since his death in 1989, his memorable images have been increasingly sought after by collectors. At least three books have been published that survey his art: "Les affiches de Villemot," by Jean-Francois Bazin...
Lithograph
Katsura Kyoto (L)
By Kiyoshi Saitō
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Kiyoshi Saito – Japanese – (1907-1997) Title: Katsura, Kyoto (L) Year: 1964 Medium: Woodblock Image size: 18 x 24 inches. Sheet size: 21.5x 28.5 inches. Signature: Signed, ...
Paper, Woodcut
$1,285
H 14.25 in W 16.18 in
"Squall, " Sailboat Maritime Scene Wood Engraving by Lowell Merritt Lee
By Lowell Merritt Lee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Squall is an original wood engraving by Lowell Merritt Lee. It features a rendition of a squall, a sudden violent gust of wind that often brings in rain, snow, or sleet. Image: 6.1...
Woodcut
$750
H 20.75 in W 11.75 in D 1 in
Etching and aquatint of Wall Street, New York, 1920s
By Max Pollak
Located in Colfax, CA
Etching and aquatint of Wall Street, New York circa 1928 by Max Pollak. Painter and printmaker Max Pollak, (1886-1970), was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia and was raised in Vienna, A...
Etching, Aquatint
Untitled
By Nissan Engel
Located in Surfside, FL
Participation in salons: Grand Prix International de Peinture, Cannes, France 1958 Jeune peinture, Paris, France 1960-65 Grands et jeunes d'aujourd'hui, France 1960-85 des Beaux...
Lithograph
Old City Jaffa
Located in Surfside, FL
Pencil signed artists proof lithograph or serigraph. Shmuel Katz (Hebrew: שמואל כ"ץ) (August 18, 1926 – March 26, 2010) was an Israeli artist, illustrator, and cartoonist. A Holocau...
Lithograph
$211
H 10.63 in W 13.78 in D 0.04 in
The Feast - Lithograph after Constantin Guys - Early 20th Century
By Constantin Guys
Located in Roma, IT
The Feast is a photolithograph print on ivory-colored paper, glued on a greenish Passepartout realized in the early 20th century After Constantin Guys Good conditions. The artwork...
Lithograph
Bundle of 8 Woodcuts by M.C. Escher
By M.C. Escher
Located in Roma, IT
Bundle of woodcuts by M.C. Escher: Buoy,Well,Beehive,Signpost,Balance,Watering Can,Anvil and Colophon
Woodcut
NATURE - Flight of birds - Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Flight of birds, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1938 Unsigned Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different) On vellum 45 x ...
Color
NATURE - Flight of birds - Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Flight of birds, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1938 Unsigned Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different) On vellum 45 x ...
Color
The Waterfall - Signed Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) The Waterfall, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1935 Signed in the plate Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different) On vel...
Color
NATURE - Flight of birds - Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Flight of birds, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1938 Unsigned Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different) On vellum 45 x ...
Color
NATURE - Flock of Birds - Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Flock of Birds, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1938 Unsigned Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different) On vellum 45 x 3...
Color
NATURE - Autumn and Carp - Signed Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Birds and Fishes, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1943 Signed in the plate Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different) On ...
Color
Birds and Fishes - Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Birds and Fishes, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1943 Unsigned Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different) On vellum 45 x...
Color
STILL LIFE - Reptiles - Signed Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Still life with reptiles, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1943 Signed in the plate Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be differ...
Color
Metaphysics - Signed Facsimile, Ltd /450
By M.C. Escher
Located in Paris, IDF
M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) Metaphysics, 2008 Facsimile after the original woodcut from 1935 Signed in the plate Numbered / 450 copies (the number you can see can be different) On vellu...
Color
Up And Down - Lithograph by M.C. Escher - 1947
By M.C. Escher
Located in Roma, IT
Hand Signed. Printed in black ink, and part of a limited edition thought to be of 400 specimen. Image Dimensions : 51 x 20 cm Reference: Bool n. 352 Locher 146. Very good conditio...
Lithograph
Sold
H 24 in W 25.25 in D 2 in
M. C. Escher Plane Filling Mosaic II Lithograph Wove Paper Signed numbered 1957
By M.C. Escher
Located in Portland, OR
Plane Filling/Mosaic II (1957) by M. C. Escher. In excellent condition, whilst it is housed in the original frame and buckram rabbet the image has been professionally re-housed with ...
Lithograph