Marceilles (December 1936) 1936

M.C. Escher made this wood engraving, Marceilles, in December of 1936. What strikes me is the way the linear marks carve out a sense of depth and space; it's all about the process. Look closely, and you'll notice how the thick, dark lines of the bridge's structure contrast with the finer, lighter lines used to depict the city and the water. The texture he creates is so tactile, you can almost feel the grit of the stone and the ripple of the waves. Escher’s perspective tricks are so masterful, the way he manipulates positive and negative space creates a push-pull effect. It's not just about rendering what he sees, but about how he sees. Escher's exploration of perspective and spatial illusions reminds me a bit of Piranesi's etchings. But where Piranesi is grandiose, Escher is playful. His work invites us to question our perception and to revel in the ambiguity of the visual world.