Encounter 1944

M.C. Escher created this lithograph called Encounter in 1944 using crayon and tusche. The print depicts a meeting between two worlds, one of darkness and one of light. Escher created this artwork during World War II in the Netherlands, a time of immense social upheaval. The black figures on the left slowly emerge from the background. They represent the darker aspects of human existence and are depicted as primitive, goblin-like creatures. In contrast, the white figures are more evolved and enlightened. The lithograph shows the moment of contact between these two opposing forces, with the figures shaking hands as they emerge. Escher’s work is not overtly political, but he was very interested in exploring the human condition through the lens of mathematical concepts, challenging viewers to consider the nature of reality and the potential for transformation. To gain a full appreciation of this artwork, one might consider the history of lithography, the biography of Escher, and other cultural responses to the Second World War. Art history always benefits from broader contextual awareness.