Metamorphose II, M. C. Escher 1938-40
Escher's paintings are filled with illusions. Escher had many paintings, in which he used two vs. three dimensions, the concept of infinity, and the illustration of concave and convex structure. One of his famous works is "Metamorphose II." He created it between 1938 and 1940. "Metamorphose II" is a thirteen foot piece of work in which he carved symmetrical patterns that merge gradually into other patterns. His work showed a “gradual progression of transformation”(Escher's Art). In his work he used black, green, and brown colors to show a rhythm of change. In the beginning of the work, "Metamorphose II," Escher used letterforms (words that are arranged in a pattern) to create an illusion.
The word “metamorphose” is placed in the end of both sides of the piece and starts the gradual patterns in both directions. “Placed horizontally and vertically in the plane, with the letters o and m as points of intersection the words are gradually transformed into a mosaic of black and white squares which in turn develop into reptiles"(Escher's Art). Escher's patterns evolve into honeycombs, then bees, then birds, fish and even a city. Lastly, the pattern goes back to the abstract in the end to complete the “metamorphic cycle.”
The reason Escher's work has endured into modern day is because everyone needs to escape from reality once in a while. One loses all sense of time and reality when looking at Escher's work because the objects go on for infinity. Human nature is to strive toward the point of infinity, and this place of infinity is mysterious. Every person wants to reach this point, however. Escher's art allows us to know this possibility of infinity, and to make that place seem like reality.
Escher may have seen the realities of war when he was younger and wanted to escape into his own world. He once said, "I don't grow up. In me is the small child of my early days."( Escher's life) After the horror of the war, Escher put all his energies into his paintings which acted as a remedy to a harsh world. From his statement, "I could fill an entire second life with working on my prints,"(Escher's life) we can safely assume that Escher found his reality in illusion.
