Dragon 1952

M.C. Escher made this dragon print, at an unknown date, using lithography, a process that, like painting, calls for a dedicated mark-making practice. Escher’s monochrome palette lends itself to the careful construction of this beast, whose body seems to emerge from the page. Look closely at the geometric grid that runs up its neck; the print is full of these kinds of pattern. The tail, for example, is composed of concentric lines, while the wings display radiating spokes. What makes it so compelling is this dialogue between the imagined creature and the artist’s process, which is laid bare for the viewer to enjoy. Escher’s work reminds me a little of the drawings of Philip Guston. While Guston’s subject matter is completely different, there is a similar sense of delight in the process of making, of the artist showing their hand in the final image. Art invites multiple perspectives; it’s always a conversation.