Born on this day, Dutch graphic artist Maurits Cornelius Escher (1898–1972) was a master of the third dimension. Through lithography and woodcutting, he explored repeated geometric patterns called tessellations to represent the limitless and infinite.
“Wonder is the salt of the earth,” said the perfectionist who once humbly downplayed his drawing ability. His love of symmetry began as a child, arranging bits of cheese into geometric patterns on bread.
Behind the geometry lived a soul of wonder. Escher’s creativity was not just technical—it was spiritual. With each impossible stairway and mirrored reflection, he offered a meditation on perception, a quiet invitation to pause, reflect, and see the world anew. That is the heart of wonder etched in every careful line.
“My subjects are often playful,” he shared. “It is a pleasure to deliberately mix objects of 2 and 3 dimensions, surface and spatial relationships, and to make fun of gravity.”
Escher's illusions offer more than meets the eye. A second look reveals intricate patterns, mathematical magic, and open-ended discovery. With a touch of humor, he once said, “Only those who attempt the absurd... will achieve the impossible. I think it’s in my basement... Let me go upstairs and check.”
Let your sense of wonder lead you past the edges of the possible. ✨