Scilla, Calabria (February 1931) 1931

M.C. Escher made this wood engraving of Scilla, Calabria, in February 1931. It shows the town clinging to a steep hillside, a fortress looming above, and the sea stretching out in the foreground. Escher was Dutch, but he travelled extensively in Italy in the 1920s and 30s. This image offers a complex view of the southern Italian landscape. We can see the artist's fascination with perspective and his manipulation of light and shadow to create depth and texture. Note how he employs a high horizon line and a sharp contrast between the dark sky and the white buildings, creating a sense of drama and unease. The wood engraving medium itself, with its bold lines and stark contrasts, contributes to the image's powerful impact. To understand this image further, we might consult Escher's diaries and letters, or examine travel guides and photographs from the period. These sources would help us to understand the social and cultural context in which the artwork was made.