Reptiles (M. C. Escher)
Encyclopedia
Reptiles is a lithograph
print
by the Dutch
artist M. C. Escher
which was first printed in March, 1943.
It depicts a desk on which is a drawing of a tessellated
pattern of reptiles. The reptiles come to life and crawl around the desk and over the objects on it to eventually re-enter the drawing. Although the desk is covered with ordinary objects, there is a metal dodecahedron which the reptiles climb over. Although only the size of small lizards, these reptiles appear to have tusks and the one standing on the dodecahedron blows smoke from its nostrils.
Like many of Escher's works, this image was intended to depict a paradox
ical and slightly humorous concept with no real philosophical meaning. There were, however, many popular misconceptions about the image’s meaning. Once a woman telephoned Escher and told him that she thought the image was a “striking illustration of reincarnation
”. The most common myth revolves around a small book on the desk with the letters JOB printed on it. Many people believed it to be the biblical Book of Job
, when in fact it was a book of JOB
brand cigarette papers.
The lithograph was used by rock band Mott the Hoople
as the sleeve artwork for their eponymous first album
, released in 1969.
Lithography
Lithography is a method for printing using a stone or a metal plate with a completely smooth surface...
Printmaking
Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. Printmaking normally covers only the process of creating prints with an element of originality, rather than just being a photographic reproduction of a painting. Except in the case of monotyping, the process is capable...
by the Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
artist M. C. Escher
M. C. Escher
Maurits Cornelis Escher , usually referred to as M. C. Escher , was a Dutch graphic artist. He is known for his often mathematically inspired woodcuts, lithographs, and mezzotints...
which was first printed in March, 1943.
It depicts a desk on which is a drawing of a tessellated
Tessellation
A tessellation or tiling of the plane is a pattern of plane figures that fills the plane with no overlaps and no gaps. One may also speak of tessellations of parts of the plane or of other surfaces. Generalizations to higher dimensions are also possible. Tessellations frequently appeared in the art...
pattern of reptiles. The reptiles come to life and crawl around the desk and over the objects on it to eventually re-enter the drawing. Although the desk is covered with ordinary objects, there is a metal dodecahedron which the reptiles climb over. Although only the size of small lizards, these reptiles appear to have tusks and the one standing on the dodecahedron blows smoke from its nostrils.
Like many of Escher's works, this image was intended to depict a paradox
Paradox
Similar to Circular reasoning, A paradox is a seemingly true statement or group of statements that lead to a contradiction or a situation which seems to defy logic or intuition...
ical and slightly humorous concept with no real philosophical meaning. There were, however, many popular misconceptions about the image’s meaning. Once a woman telephoned Escher and told him that she thought the image was a “striking illustration of reincarnation
Reincarnation
Reincarnation best describes the concept where the soul or spirit, after the death of the body, is believed to return to live in a new human body, or, in some traditions, either as a human being, animal or plant...
”. The most common myth revolves around a small book on the desk with the letters JOB printed on it. Many people believed it to be the biblical Book of Job
Book of Job
The Book of Job , commonly referred to simply as Job, is one of the books of the Hebrew Bible. It relates the story of Job, his trials at the hands of Satan, his discussions with friends on the origins and nature of his suffering, his challenge to God, and finally a response from God. The book is a...
, when in fact it was a book of JOB
JOB (rolling papers)
JOB rolling papers are a popular brand of cigarette paper produced by Republic Tobacco in Perpignan, France. In 1838, a French craftsman named Jean Bardou came up with the idea for a booklet of rolling papers made of thin, pure rice paper...
brand cigarette papers.
The lithograph was used by rock band Mott the Hoople
Mott the Hoople
Mott the Hoople were a British rock band with strong R&B roots, popular in the glam rock era of the early to mid 1970s. They are popularly known for the song "All the Young Dudes", written for them by David Bowie and appearing on their 1972 album of the same name.-The early years:Mott The Hoople...
as the sleeve artwork for their eponymous first album
Mott the Hoople (album)
Mott the Hoople is the debut album by the band of the same name. It was produced by Guy Stevens and released in 1969 by Island Records in the UK, and in 1970 by Atlantic Records in the US....
, released in 1969.
External links
- Decoration with Escher Lizard by William Chow.