Snakes

1969

M.C. Escher

Associated Names
M.C. Escher

Artist, Dutch, 1898 - 1972

This print shows a complex arrangement of curved, interwoven green lines and arcs forming geometric patterns within a circular border. There are three intertwined bronze snakes encircling the pattern, their bodies looping through the lattice of the shapes. The green geometric shapes in the center resemble a woven net or basket. The snakes have small, intricate scales, and their forked tongues are outstretched. The background is blank paper.
This object’s media is not available for download. Contact us about image usage.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut in orange, green, and black, printed from three blocks

  • Credit Line

    Cornelius Van S. Roosevelt Collection

  • Dimensions

    image: 49.8 x 44.1 cm (19 5/8 x 17 3/8 in.)
    sheet: 55.3 x 47.1 cm (21 3/4 x 18 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1982.90.21

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Bool 1981, no. 448

  • Copyright

    All M.C. Escher works © Cordon Art-Baarn-the Netherlands. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1984

  • "M. C. Escher: Pattern & Paradox", Lowe Art Museum, Coral Gables, FL, 1984

1997

  • M.C. Escher: A Centennial Tribute, National Gallery of Art, Washington; San Diego Museum of Art; The Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, 1997-1999.

2000

  • "M.C. Escher", Knoxville Museum of Art, 2000.

2015

  • The Worlds of M.C. Escher: Nature, Science, and Imagination, North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, 2015.

Bibliography

1981

  • Bool, F.H. et al. M.C. Escher: His Life and Complete Graphic Work. Amsterdam: Meulenhoff, 1981; English-language edition, New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1982.

Inscriptions

lower center, in pencil: MCEscher eigendruk; lower left, in pencil: Gift copy for Mr. C.V.S. Roosevelt

Wikidata ID

Q74038870

You may be interested in

Loading Results