MC Escher’s
Evolution

Visuals and Text by Livia Casati

The M.C. Escher exhibition at Museo degli Innocenti is a must-see for art lovers and enthusiasts. Showcasing the artist’s evolution and growth over the years, the exhibition offers a captivating experience that highlights Escher’s unique style and his ability to capture the influences of his time.

As you walk on in, you’ll be introduced to Escher’s early work and be taken on a journey all through to his later, more complex pieces. His use of geometric shapes and optical illusions in his art is truly incredible, and it was clear how much he was influenced by artistic movements such as Surrealism and Art Nouveau at the time.

The section dedicated to Escher’s work in tessellations is one of the exhibition’s highlights. These intricate pieces, which feature repeating patterns of geometric shapes, put a spotlight on the artist’s curious mastery of mathematical concepts.

Escher was a master of lithography, a technique that involves drawing on a flat stone surface with a greasy substance and then using that surface to print the image. He used this technique to create intricate and detailed images that were impossible to achieve with other methods. His painting technique is remarkable, as is his attention to detail and the way he used light and shadow to create depth and realism.

The exhibition also includes a section where you could see the extent of his influence on art, from music to film. His work features on a Pink Floyd album cover, and even goes so far as to influence one of the settings in Netflix’s Squid Game show!

Besides being the expected fantastical experience that comes with interacting with Escher’s work, the exhibition gives a fascinating look into the mind and creative process of one of the 20th century’s most ingenious artists.

The Escher exhibition is on until the 23rd of March 2023 at Museo degli Innocenti in Florence, Italy.