I have been saving this artist study for a while because I think Escher is absolutely brilliant and an amazing graphic artist, especially since he was not a good math student, in fact, he did not care for math at all. Both of my girls are talented artists and neither give a darn about math. I like the randomness of that!
So who exactly is
Maurits Cornelis Escher anyway?
On June 17, 1898 in
Leeuwarden, Netherlands, one of greatest graphic artist of all times was born, Maurits Cornelis Escher.
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| In Italy, 1924 |
M.C. was a sickly child and missed a lot of school time (lucky for him). While sick and out of school, he spent his time drawing. This left-handed lad could draw anything and everything but he did not do well in any other school subjects.
During WWII, his family moved around a lot and then finally settled in Belgium.
Escher visited Spain and Italy in 1922. He was fascinated by the patterns and geometric designs. He met his wife, Jetta Umiker, in Italy in 1923. Their first son, George, was born in 1926. George is currently 90 years old. In 1928, they welcomed a second son, Arthur who is currently 88 years old, and in 1938, their third son, Jan was born. Jan is 78 years old.
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| Still Life and Street 1937 |
M.C. Escher was so famous that King Emmanuel and Mussolini attended his son, George's, christening and in 1955 he was knighted into the
Order of Orange Nassau by
Queen Juliana from the Dutch Royal House.
His art frequently contained tessellations.
He focused his attention to an idea of an impossible reality and optical illusions.
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| Snakes 1969 woodcut |
Even though he was not good at math, all of his art is mathematically-inspired.
During his time, he created over 2000 drawings and over 400 woodcuts, wood engravings, and lithographs.
His first work of art was called
Still Life and Street.
His final work of art was created in 1969, he called it
Snakes.
M.C. Escher passed away from cancer at the age of 73 on March 27, 1973 in a retirement home for artists in
Laren, North Holland.
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| Eye 1946 |
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| Three Spheres II lithograph 1946 |
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| Probably his most famous work of art, Drawing Hands 1948. |
Check out some of these great links below to learn more and find projects to do.
