COLLECTION

The late Dutch artist, M.C. Escher (1898 to 1972) is well-known for his woodcuts and lithographs such as Day and Night, Sky and Water I, Drawing Hands, Waterfall, Hand with Reflecting Sphere, and Puddle.

Such images adorn the walls of college dormitories and of major museum exhibitions, and are familiar to collectors of all ages. However, largely unknown are his drawings and watercolors, and the original woodblocks used for printing. He never offered these unique works for sale and it was only when select works from his estate were made available that they came to light.

The Featured Exhibition at the Art Palm Beach Show will feature a curated selection of the total collection, consisting of over 400 original works by the artist acquired over four decades, The Rock J. Walker collection is the second largest of the three comprehensive Escher collections that remain in private hands, it has been exhibited in a number of United States cities and Europe during the past three decades, most recently in New York at Industry City. It comprises works in all mediums and from all periods of the artist’s career, it is especially strong in unique works. Included are, for example, the animal tiling prints on silk, tessellation watercolors, and color variations of prints. One highlight is a self-portrait ceramic plate, Escher’s only ceramic work, together with its accompanying watercolor. The collection is strong in preparatory drawings and original woodblocks, many of which has not been published before . These primary works reveal the through processes and labor that went into creating a print and they stand alone as works of art; the block of the Old Olive Tree, for instance, is as much of a masterpiece as the final wood engraving.

Above all, this assemblage contains an abundance of what made Escher famous. Tessellations, geometric figures, and impossible structures were the recurring themes in Escher’s oeuvre. Over fifty tessellations, images in which figures interlock with each other perfectly, grace this collection. All of Escher’s “impossible buildings” are represented. Not only do these prints entertain the eye and the brain; many of them relate strongly to aspects of mathematics and science. The collection also contains models, letters, tools, photographs and several pieces of furniture designed, cut, carved and assembled by Escher .

PRESENTED BY WALKER FINE ART

HAND WITH REFLECTING SPHERE M.C. ESCHER, 1935 Lithograph 12.5 in × 8.4 in All M.C. Escher’s Works and Text © The M.C. Escher Company, Baarn, The Netherlands. All Rights Reserved. M.C. Escher ® is a Registered Trademark.