The artwork, titled “Birthday card for G.Gershoff (November 1938)” and created by M.C. Escher in 1938, is a woodcut illustration that falls under the Expressionism art movement. This piece was designed as a birthday card and serves as a testament to Escher’s detailed and meticulous woodcut technique.
In the artwork, a nocturnal street scene is depicted, showcasing a row of buildings with intricate architectural features. Illuminated prominently is the doorway of a building, radiating light that sharply contrasts with the surrounding shadowy environment. The street is flanked by a fence and trees, their stark lines and patterns characteristic of Escher’s style. In the bottom half of the piece, there is an inscription in Dutch that appears to be a poetic or thoughtful message. The overall composition of the artwork combines meticulous detail with a sense of whimsy and charm, representative of Escher’s unique perspective and artistic approach.