MC Escher’s “Extra-logical Realities”: Artistic Progression From Architecture to Mathematics

Subject:

Art

History

Region:

Europe

Written by Ana M. Carreño Leyva, Art courtesy of The M.C. Escher Company


Create a simple tessellation integrating techniques by Dutch artist M. C. Escher that relies on Islamic-inspired patterns.

The following activities and abridged text build off Escher +Alhambra = Infinity, written by Ana M. Carreño Leyva, and art courtesy of The M.C. Escher Company.

WARM UP

Let's Go. PDF

Scan the article’s photos and captions to predict its main idea.


IF YOU ONLY HAVE 15 MINUTES ...

See the activties. PDF

Explain how Escher uses shapes, contrast and distortion to create optical illusions.


IF YOU ONLY HAVE 30 MINUTES ...

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Demonstrate how specific artistic techniques added to Escher’s artistic appeal and longevity by analyzing his prints and visual elements.


Use repeated abstract patterns to create a tessellation following Escher’s technique.


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