The artwork “Crab Canon,” created by M.C. Escher in 1963, is a significant piece belonging to the Op Art movement and exemplifies the genre of tessellation.
The artwork presents an intricate and repetitive pattern of interlocking crab figures, masterfully arranging their forms to create a seamless and visually captivating mosaic. The crabs alternate between two distinct colors, typically shades of red and blue, which enhance the optical illusion and complexity of the design. Each crab is meticulously detailed, contributing to a coherent yet bewildering visual experience that is characteristic of Escher’s work. The symmetrical arrangement and the precision of the tessellation lead to a mesmerizing effect, engaging the viewer in a study of spatial relationships and geometric intricacies.
