Street in Scanno, Abruzzi 1930

M.C. Escher made this print of a street in Scanno, Abruzzi, using lithography, which is a process where he drew with a greasy crayon on a stone. What's striking to me is how he uses this rigid, almost architectural technique to capture the feeling of a real place. Look at how he renders the cobblestones, each one is so carefully defined, with its own texture and shape. It's like he's inviting you to run your fingers across them. Then, notice how he plays with light and shadow, creating these dramatic contrasts that give the street a sense of depth and mystery. The light is cool, there are limited tonal values but it does not feel flat. My eye keeps returning to the figure sitting on the steps to the right. She seems very relaxed and in tune with her surroundings. Escher must have really connected with this scene. His precision reminds me of Durer, another engraver who was able to see the world in amazing detail. It's this kind of attention that makes art so compelling, allowing us to experience a place through someone else's eyes.