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M.C. Escher: His Life and Complete Graphic Work. With a Fully Illustrated Catalogue
Since Ester's death in 1972, at the age of seventy-three, much previously unpublished material has become available to his biographers, who have put it to good use. The story of the artist's life is told here with the help of virtually his entire correspondence, the journals of his travels, and, to supply the facts about his youthful years, the journals kept by his father.
349 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1992
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About the author
J.L. Locher
11 books3 followersJohannes Lodewijk Locher is curator of the Modern Art Department of the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 23, 2009
Boy, I really enjoy this volume! For people unfamiliar with the name Escher, many have, nonetheless, seen some of his more mind bending works. Many of his artistic creations have an impossibility about them--even as they look reasonable in terms of specific parts of each. Other of his woodcuts or wood engravings are enchanting in their own right.
The first part of the book is more biographical, although this segment is also richly sprinkled with examples of his work.
But it is the catalog, startng on page 176, that, to me, is at the heart of this volume. Some of the works that are especially of interest to me: (page 273) "Day and Night," in which white birds and black birds blend into one another; (page 293) "Up and Down," a mind altering look at two levels of a house that cannot be but seem to be; (page 308) "Curves and Concaves," people climbing ladders and looking through windows in a manner that leaves one's head spinning; (page 323; my personal favorite), "Waterfall," in which water flows around a structure to a waterfall, which looks fine but is impossible and one's head, again, spins!
Interested in Escher's work? This is an excellent starting point.
The first part of the book is more biographical, although this segment is also richly sprinkled with examples of his work.
But it is the catalog, startng on page 176, that, to me, is at the heart of this volume. Some of the works that are especially of interest to me: (page 273) "Day and Night," in which white birds and black birds blend into one another; (page 293) "Up and Down," a mind altering look at two levels of a house that cannot be but seem to be; (page 308) "Curves and Concaves," people climbing ladders and looking through windows in a manner that leaves one's head spinning; (page 323; my personal favorite), "Waterfall," in which water flows around a structure to a waterfall, which looks fine but is impossible and one's head, again, spins!
Interested in Escher's work? This is an excellent starting point.
March 22, 2020
Summary: The actual reading here is a good curiosity, but it's the complete catalog you want.
The complete catalog of Escher's works at the end is fantastic and a highly recommended experience. The actual text is more variable. Anything written by M.C. Escher himself, or by his father, whether it is correspondence or an essay, is great (in part because it is so dry.) However, there is not a wealth of discussion about the artworks themselves; as the title indicates the book is much more Escher's life, and then his catalog, then it is any analysis. Most of that comes from Escher's own passing comments in his correspondence, or his responses to other's comments, typically not reproduced. My favorite non-catalog section of the book is a translation of Escher's own essay on the regular division of the plane. That's because Escher provided pictures that walk you through the technical description behind the patterns, and that helps me because I don't fully understand one without the other. For much of the book you are left only with one -- a technical description without the work, or the work without a technical description. You could flip front and back for some of the works, but with such a physically large book that's a rather cumbersome approach.
The complete catalog of Escher's works at the end is fantastic and a highly recommended experience. The actual text is more variable. Anything written by M.C. Escher himself, or by his father, whether it is correspondence or an essay, is great (in part because it is so dry.) However, there is not a wealth of discussion about the artworks themselves; as the title indicates the book is much more Escher's life, and then his catalog, then it is any analysis. Most of that comes from Escher's own passing comments in his correspondence, or his responses to other's comments, typically not reproduced. My favorite non-catalog section of the book is a translation of Escher's own essay on the regular division of the plane. That's because Escher provided pictures that walk you through the technical description behind the patterns, and that helps me because I don't fully understand one without the other. For much of the book you are left only with one -- a technical description without the work, or the work without a technical description. You could flip front and back for some of the works, but with such a physically large book that's a rather cumbersome approach.
July 20, 2011
This is one of my all time favorite books and I have read it a number of times. I still cannot get over the level of details and mathematical precision used when they are in fact lithographs and where done some of them in the 30s. I was first introduced to his work as posters from the student haven called Athena (yes you know the one) and rapidly became fascinated with his impossible works. Always a joy to read and i think this is the best book on his work.
June 14, 2021
This book was a very informative collection of details and probably a must for any Escher library. The collection of prints at the end of the book (100+ pages of just pictures of his work) is a fantastic resource to have. As for the first part of the book, the biography, I was much less impressed.
Next, I acknowledge this is opinion, but there were many details of Escher's life I would have liked to see included; much of that was omitted. What took the place off all that omitted material? Letters from Escher to his son! Yes, this is a valuable resource for an autobiography, but this book is supposed to be a biography! Summarize those letters to convey the significance of what was exchanged and then tell me more interesting things about Escher.
Additionally, I would have liked to learn more about Escher's process and how he did his work. Maybe none of that is known? In that case, just tell me that!
Also, a good biography has me "knowing" the subject as an associate/friend. You can feel like you really know the person. With this, I didn't ever feel like I knew who Escher was.
To summarize, the pictures at the book's end provide an excellent resource for Escher's work. Unfortunately, the biographical details (3 of 5 stars to rate the biography itself) lack that keen insight into Escher and what made him who he was.
Next, I acknowledge this is opinion, but there were many details of Escher's life I would have liked to see included; much of that was omitted. What took the place off all that omitted material? Letters from Escher to his son! Yes, this is a valuable resource for an autobiography, but this book is supposed to be a biography! Summarize those letters to convey the significance of what was exchanged and then tell me more interesting things about Escher.
Additionally, I would have liked to learn more about Escher's process and how he did his work. Maybe none of that is known? In that case, just tell me that!
Also, a good biography has me "knowing" the subject as an associate/friend. You can feel like you really know the person. With this, I didn't ever feel like I knew who Escher was.
To summarize, the pictures at the book's end provide an excellent resource for Escher's work. Unfortunately, the biographical details (3 of 5 stars to rate the biography itself) lack that keen insight into Escher and what made him who he was.
June 8, 2020
A thorough discussion of his life, major events, and travels supplemented by copious quotes from his own extensive correspondence. The essays by Bruno Ernst and the artist himself which discuss the mathematical underpinnings of his work, in the first case, and the regular division of the plane in the latter, offer incredibly interesting and valuable lenses through which to interpret his work. Escher's essay on travelling by freighter is as entertaining as it is insightful to his state of mind.
The latter half of the book contains a complete catalogue of his graphic work. With over 600 illustrations, this is a definitive guide. Five stars.
The latter half of the book contains a complete catalogue of his graphic work. With over 600 illustrations, this is a definitive guide. Five stars.
May 1, 2019
An excellent biography of an interesting man. When I was a teenager I used to wear M. C. Escher tee-shirts. Now I appreciate his art a lot more. There's so much more to Escher than some cool, paradoxical pictures. In addition to a long biography, complete with personal letters and transcriptions of lectures given, this large book contains images of Escher's full catalog of prints.
March 13, 2022
An interesting life. A phenomenal artist.
October 24, 2022
A very interesting compendium.
June 21, 2016
This text has a lengthy biography complete with letters. It is followed by a paper on Escher's work from the perspective of mathematician Bruno Ernst. Also included is a 20 page (huge pages) essay by M.C. Escher on his "hobby" of regular division of the plane, as translated into English. Finally there is a catalog containing all the prints and work Escher prepared onto paper wrought on paper. Unfortunately, most of the catalog is in black and white. This really robs many of the works of their full value. However, this text is a good way to see prints not typically seen and then try to find them online in color. Some cannot be found online presently, in any form.
I recommend skipping the biography (unless you're really into that), reading the two essays, and perusing the images in the catalog.
I recommend skipping the biography (unless you're really into that), reading the two essays, and perusing the images in the catalog.
July 9, 2010
Excellent review of Escher's life and work with images of diagrams and models he created in figuring out problems related to dividing the plane and figure/space/plane relations. Explanations about how he created his visual puzzles are given. Escher's personal letters to colleagues and family give rise to his personal perspectives on his work and life. The only issue: text at times refers to particular works and where to find these images are not readily identified - I find myself having to go to the index repeatedly, which slows reading and detracts a bit from the experience. Otherwise, I am just so pleased to have be able to see the preliminary diagrams and the resulting final products!
November 9, 2009
Simply stunning. The text is insightful describing Escher's loss to explain why he, alone apparently, was fascinated by the 'tiling of the plane'; is poignant in his son's description of Escher's last days. Those new to Escher will be stunned to find out that his works were primarily done as woodcuts. The wood blocks, then inked, are used to stamp the images with which we are all familiar.
July 1, 2008
A work colleague introduced me to the brilliant works of Escher many years ago. I am still amazed by the brilliance of his art.... superb.
March 21, 2008
I actually found this at a yard sale. Besidea having hundreds of prints of Escher's work it also has a complete bio.
August 21, 2008
Wonderful volume. Reproductions of most of his works.
May 11, 2009
Perfection! A treasury of Escher's work. A book I wouldn't want to do without.
May 6, 2009
Forget all that crap you see silk-screened onto mouse pads and t-shirts. This book has the real goods.
August 6, 2009
This is a great biograpy and also contains most of his works.
July 12, 2012
I read this book years ago and I found the writing to be pretty clear. What I loved about this though was that there were an extensive number of pictures of Escher's works.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews