Metamorphosis I

1937

M.C. Escher

Associated Names
M.C. Escher

Artist, Dutch, 1898 - 1972

This is a long, horizontal, black-and-white print that shows a scene transforming as it travels from left to right. On the left side of the image is a group of buildings seen from above. As the print continues to the right, these buildings become more uniform in shape until they are a series of identical cubes. These cubes then transition into irregularly shaped, interlocking shapes. These shapes become increasingly complex until they each become the shape of a paper doll with a large triangular hat. At the far-right side of the print, a single paper doll separates from the interlocking group. The background of the image on the far left and right sides is black.
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, printed on two sheets

  • Credit Line

    Cornelius Van S. Roosevelt Collection

  • Dimensions

    image: 19.4 x 90.8 cm (7 5/8 x 35 3/4 in.)
    sheet: 29.3 x 100.6 cm (11 9/16 x 39 5/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1974.28.6

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Bool 1981, no. 298

  • Copyright

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

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1974

  • "MC Escher Prints", National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, July 25 - December 30, 1974.

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.

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.

1990

  • Schattschneider 1990, p.19.

Inscriptions

lower right, in block: V-'37 MCE; lower left, in pencil: MC Escher To Mr. C.V.S. Roosevelt, with kind regards, this almost 30 years old copy. Baam. March 20, 1907.

Wikidata ID

Q65574205

You may be interested in

Loading Results