M.C. ESCHER

Escher Tessellations

M.C. Escher (1898 – 1972) Dutch graphic artist

best known for his optical illusions and mathematically inspired artwork.

During his life, he became obsessed with filling surfaces with pictures that did not overlap or leave spaces.M.C. Escher, Relativity,

1953. Lithograph.

Escher is considered the father of modern tessellations.

M.C. Escher (1898 – 1972)

M.C. Escher (1898 – 1972)Escher is considered the father of modern tessellations.

They frequently appeared in his work.

Sky and Water 1, 1938. Woodcut.

M.C. Escher (1898 – 1972)

Frogs and Fish, 1942.

The word “tessera” in latin means “small stone cube.” They were used to make “tessellata” the mosaic pictures on Roman floors and walls of buildings.

M.C. Escher (1898 – 1972)

In tessellations, shapes interlock and completely cover the picture plane.

Escher produced his first tessellation in 1925.

Lions. 1925.

M.C. Escher (1898 – 1972)

Reptiles. 1943.

M.C. Escher (1898 – 1972)

Day and Night. 1938.

M.C. Escher (1898 – 1972)

Development II. 1939.

M.C. Escher (1898 – 1972)

Fish and Frogs. 1949.

M.C. Escher (1898 – 1972)

Sun and Moon, 1948.

M.C. Escher (1898 – 1972)

Part of Metamorphosis, 1967-68.

M.C. Escher (1898 – 1972)

Tessellations

In creating a tessellation, it is usually easiest to start with a basic geometric shape.

Certain shapes will tessellate to completely fill the page, leaving no spaces.

What shapes will tessellate?Circles will not tessellate.

What shapes will tessellate?Triangles will tessellate.

What shapes will tessellate?Squares will tessellate.

What shapes will tessellate?Pentagons will not tessellate.

What shapes will tessellate?Hexagons will tessellate.

What shapes will tessellate?Octagons will not tessellate.

TessellationsStart with a square.

Every time you want to add or subtract from this basic shape, you will have to adjust the opposite side as

well.

Whatever shape you cut from one side must be slid across the shape and taped to the opposite side in order to create a shape that will tessellate.

Tessellations

Tessellations

TessellationsYou can try the same with a hexagon.