M.C. Escher: Unknown Escher

The Herakleidon Museum, as of April 25th 2009, proceeded with the presentation of the third phase of the exhibition “From Drawing to Masterpiece”, highlighting the “Unknown Escher”. The third phase was on display until August 2nd 2009. All of the works of Phase III were exhibited for the first time in a museum environment.

• First Phase "Period of Discovery" ~ 10/10/08 - 11/01/09 • Second Phase "Italian Period" ~ 17/01/09 - 18/04/09 • Third Phase "Unknown Escher" ~ 25/04/09 - 02/08/09 • Fourth Phase "Escher in Color" ~ 22/08/09 - 15/11/09

Unknown Escher refers to the artistic side of the artist which was never seen by the general public. Few Escher admirers know that he drew nudes, stamps, a cemetery hall mural, as well as textile patterns. He also decorated a Postal Office in Holland.

Most of the exhibited works never became final prints because either the artist lost interest in them or the project was stopped. Of great interest are Escher's portraits and self-portraits. These extremely rare drawings give us a more complete understanding of Escher as an artist.

A section of the exhibition was dedicated to the first and second phases of the exhibition presenting several well known prints. A computer and high definition monitor was available for viewing a comprehensive selection of drawings from the Escher archive. Visitors were able to select individual drawings and magnify them for further study.

The Museum has published a special edition catalogue in two languages (English/Greek) covering all four phases of the exhibition, with truly rare drawings and final prints.

Curators: Paul & Anna-Belinda Firos

APRIL 25th 2009 – AUGUST 2nd 2009 THIRD PHASE : " UNKNOWN ESCHER "

M.C. Escher is best known for the prints that challenge the viewer’s perception of two and three dimensions and his sense of gravity, as well as for the many works which illustrate the regular division of the plane. Those among his admirers who want to learn more about the artist will usually discover the prints, mostly landscapes and cityscapes that Escher made during the many years he lived in Italy.

There is, however, another body of work spanning the artist’s career that is rarely, if ever, seen. He created designs for stamps, textiles, two ceilings, and several murals, such as the monumental one at the Post Office in The Hague and the intarsia wood panels in the Leiden Stadthuis (Town Hall). Other works include very early drawings and portraits, as well as studies for projects that were never executed.

All the drawings and studies Escher left behind reveal an artist constantly experimenting with new ideas. We hope that this third phase of the exhibition will acquaint the viewer with this rarely seen side of M.C. Escher.

M.C. Escher
FROM DRAWING TO MASTERPIECE
Third Phase: "Unknown Escher"

Kuratoren: Paul Firos, Anna-Belinda Firos