Bookplate, Dr. P.H.M. Travaglino 1940

This is M.C. Escher's bookplate for Dr. P.H.M. Travaglino, rendered in monochrome. Escher, who lived through both World Wars, often explored themes of order and chaos. Here, a collection of scholarly objects--books, a wine glass, a carafe, and a pipe resting in an ashtray--are arranged in a still life composition. "Ex Libris" is inscribed, Latin for "from the books of", followed by the name of the book's owner, and Doctor Travaglino’s title. Escher challenges traditional representations of bookplates, which usually featured crests or heraldic symbols that connoted class and lineage. By incorporating imagery associated with intellectual and leisurely pursuits, Escher creates a sense of intimacy, suggesting that books, like wine and tobacco, are part of a rich and sensory experience. The print invites viewers to contemplate the relationship between knowledge, personal identity, and the pleasure of engaging with the written word.