A Brief Biography of Maurits Cornelis Escher

When admiring the world’s most famous graphic artists there is one that stands out from the rest. M.C. Escher’s works have amazed people around the world for nearly a century. During his lifetime, Escher made 448 lithographs, woodcuts and wood engravings and over 2000 drawings and sketches. He is best known for his mathematically inspired woodcuts, lithographs, and mezzotints. These works feature what seem to be impossible constructions and studies of infinity. His early works were mostly of the beautiful countryside and architecture of Italy. These, and many other of his amazing works of art have been viewed by millions of people all over the world in prestigious galleries such as the Moscow Museum of Modern Art in Russia, and National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.
Maurits Cornelis (M.C.) Escher was born on June 17, 1898, in the Dutch province of Friesland. He was the youngest of three sons born to George and Sarah Escher. The Escher family lived Leeuwarden in a grand house named "Princessehof," which would later become a museum and host exhibitions of M.C. Escher's works. Though he never did well in school, and never graduated from high school, he always excelled at art. Escher studied architecture at Higher Technology School in the city of Delft in South Holland. He received a deferment from enlisting in the military in order to continue his studies, however, because of health issues he was not able to enlist in the military and was forced quit school. It was during this trying time that he did many of his drawings and he was started to be recognized by the media as a great artist. Still interested in pursuing a career in architecture, Escher moved to Harrlem, in North Holland, in order to attend School for Arch...

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Escher’s fame would finally find its way to America in 1950 when his story was published in two different magazines. First was the art journal The Studio, and the second was Time-Life, a very popular magazine in the states. These articles would introduce the American people to the fascinating art of M.C. Escher. (Ziring, 1998)
On March 27, 1972, M.C. Escher passed away at the age of seventy-four. Leaving behind 2000 drawing and 448 lithographs, woodcuts and wood engravings, and giving to the world incredible artwork that to this day still amazes it’s viewers. Not only was Escher an amazing artist, but a lecturer, writer, designer of tapestries, wall murals and even postage stamps. His unique perspective on the world and his incredibly artistic way of sharing his visions will forever delight and intrigue art lovers of all ages.