Cloister of Monreale, Sicily 1933

M.C. Escher made this print of the Cloister of Monreale, Sicily, using black ink to create a world of light and shadow. It’s all about the process, seeing how he builds up the image, line by line. Look closely at the columns, how Escher uses varied marks to give them dimension. The ink is dense, but it’s not about hiding the process. You can see the physicality of the medium—the way the lines create texture. I’m drawn to the lower corner where the sunlight hits the stone floor. The parallel lines there create a stark contrast, a flat plane amidst the complex geometry. It reminds me of Piranesi, but with a touch of Escher's own fantastical twist. It’s not just a picture, it's an ongoing exploration of form, space, and how we see.