M.C. Escher
1960 print
black, white, and ocre,
on laid Japan paper
printed from two blocks
48cm X 53cm, image being 41.9cm in diam.
National Gallery of Cananda
Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898, Leeuwarden-1972, The Hague) is one of the world's most famous graphic artists. His art is enjoyed by millions of people all over the world. His art can be seen on the many web sites on the internet. He played with architecture, perspective and impossible spaces. His art continues to amaze and wonder millions all over the world. In his work we recognize his observation of the world around us and the expressions of his own fantasies. M.C. Escher shows us that reality is wondrous, comprehensible and fascinating.
Circle Limit IV, also known as Heaven and Hell, has fliping angels and demons. I find this one the most interesting of his works because the demons are most defined and it isn't until you look closely at the image that the definition of the angel also becomes prominant. The lines of the demon's wings help shape the wings of the angels and the heads of both embrace each other within the pattern. I do not know how religious a man Escher was but this pattern seems to identify a struggle between "good and evil".
http://www.mcescher.com/