The Graphic Work of M.C. Escher by Escher M.C

Author:Escher, M.C. [Escher, M.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Art, Reference
ISBN: 9783822858646
Goodreads: 276287
Publisher: Taschen
Published: 1956-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

32. Metamorphose

32. Metamorphosis, woodcut printed from 29 blocks, 1939-’40 and 1967-’68, 19.5×700cm. A long series of changing shapes. Out of the word ‘Metamorphose’ placed vertically and horizontally on the level surface, with the letter O and M (= Greek E) as points of intersection, there emerges a mosaic of white and black squares that changes into a carpet of flowers and leaves on which two bees have setled. Thereupon the flowers and leaves change back into squares again, only to be transformed once more, this time into animal shapes. To use musical terminology, we are dealing here with four-four time. Now the rhythm changes; a third shade is added to the white and black and the measure changes to threefour time. Each figure becomes simplified and the pattern which at first was composed of squares now consists of hexagons. Then follows an association of ideas; hexagons make one think of the cells in a honeycomb, and so in every cell there appears a bee larve. The fully grown larvae turn into bees which fly off into space. But they are not vouchsafed a long life of freedom, for soon their black silhouettes join together to form a background for white fishes. As these also fuse together, the interstices seem to take on the form of black birds. Similar transformations of background objects now appear several times: dark birds…light-coloured boats…dark fishes…light horses…dark birds. These become simplified into a pattern of equilateral triangles which serve for a short while as a canvas on which winged letters are depicted but then quickly turn once more into black bird shapes. Small grey birds begin to appear in the white background and than gain in size until their contours equal those of their fellows. Such areas of white that still remain take on the form of a third variety of bird so that there are now three different kinds, each with its own specific form and colour, filling the surface completely. Now for another simplification: each bird turns into a lozenge. Just as in print number 29 (‘Cycle’), this is an opportunity to pass over to the three-dimensional, as three diamond-shapes suggest a cube. The blocks give rise to a city on the sea-shore. The tower standing in the water is at the same time a piece in a game of chess; the board for this game, with its light and dark squares, leads back once more to the letters of the word: ‘Metamorphose’.

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