Baby 1917

Editor: So, this delicate piece is "Baby" by M.C. Escher, created in 1917. It seems to be a watercolor and etching print. It’s kind of a dreamlike portrait – almost as if you’re remembering a baby rather than seeing it directly. What do you see in this work? Curator: What a beautifully intimate portrayal. I find it interesting how Escher, known later for his tessellations and mathematical structures, starts with such a tender image. Look how the lines seem to cradle the child. To me, this speaks to the vulnerable nature of early life, that sense of needing to be held. Does the color palette give you any hints? Editor: It does! It feels muted and very gentle… perhaps a deliberate choice to reinforce the idea of fragility and innocence? Is it usual for an artist, especially someone like Escher who ventured into abstraction later on, to produce more conventional works? Curator: Absolutely! Most artists go through phases. It reminds us that even those famous for their ‘out there’ concepts often ground themselves in the basics – portraiture, life drawing. Consider that 1917 was a difficult period with many artists involved directly with war effort. Editor: That’s fascinating! Knowing that context shifts my understanding – it could even be viewed as an attempt to find solace in innocence during turbulent times. I never would have connected Escher with "innocence" without exploring his early work. Curator: Precisely! Art often surprises you when you let it, doesn't it? "Baby" lets us glimpse the evolving soul of an artist. It proves that every artist and their art is constantly changing in their way of thinking and that influences the art style produced.