Fish is a lithographic print created by the Dutch artist Maurits Cornelis Escher around 1942. This artwork is a prime example of Escher’s fascination with the mathematical concepts of symmetries and tessellations. In this art piece, Escher cleverly divides the plane into regular polygons and fills them with meticulously detailed drawings of several fish and a few birds. The work merges Escher’s love for mathematics with his impeccable draftsmanship skills, making it a hallmark of the artist’s distinctive style.
Escher considered Fish to be one of his most challenging works, and it is not difficult to see why. The print features an intricate interplay of positive and negative spaces, where the shapes of the fish emerge from the background in an almost tangible way. The attention to detail is remarkable, and every scale and curve of the fish is meticulously rendered to the most exquisite detail. This artwork is a testament to Escher’s mastery of lithography, and his ability to create detailed and precise art pieces that are both captivating and intellectually stimulating.
Years after its creation, Fish remains an iconic work of art that continues to captivate art lovers and mathematicians alike. It is a prime example of how art and science can intersect in surprising and beautiful ways, and how an artist’s imagination and skill can give birth to timeless works of art that cross boundaries and inspire people across generations.
