Perfume (Bad Smell)

1921

M.C. Escher

Associated Names
M.C. Escher

Artist, Dutch, 1898 - 1972

There are bold, jagged, black lines and curved shapes forming an abstract pattern within a rectangular frame. The lines and shapes resemble a distorted human face, with features suggesting an eye, a nose, and lips. The eye appears large and circular with radiating lines, the nose has elongated curves, and the formation below represents tightly pursed lips. This abstract composition evokes the outline of a person's face reacting strongly to something.
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 on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Cornelius Van S. Roosevelt Collection

  • Dimensions

    image: 12 x 9 cm (4 3/4 x 3 9/16 in.)
    sheet: 16.6 x 13.5 cm (6 9/16 x 5 5/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1983.109.50

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Bool 1981, no. 78

Artwork history & notes

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

in artist's hand, across bottom in graphite: M.C.Escher (underlined) / "Bad Smell"

Wikidata ID

Q74045295

You may be interested in

Loading Results