Scholastica Illustration 1931

This is M.C. Escher's illustration of Scholastica, and I can only imagine the cross-hatching that created this atmospheric scene. The light seems to be pouring in like a waterfall, while the rest of the scene remains in shadow. I wonder what Escher was thinking as he decided where to put each line, a decision that could make or break the scene? It's interesting to think about the fact that even a single line can have so much weight. Look how the lines on the walls don’t just define the surface, they also express the emotion and anxiety of the figure seated by the door. I think that so many artists have been inspired by Escher because he shows how the smallest gesture can communicate a feeling, a meaning, a whole world. Artists like Bridget Riley and Sol Lewitt come to mind. I find myself often returning to his work for these lessons. It reminds me that art is an ongoing conversation, an exchange of ideas across time.