The artwork entitled “Emblemata – Cactus” was created by the artist M.C. Escher in 1931. This piece is part of the art movement known as Expressionism and falls under the genre of illustration. It is included in the series “XXIV Emblemata dat zijn zinne-beelden.”
The artwork showcases a variety of intricately detailed cacti, arranged to form an almost symmetrical and engaging pattern. The composition is rendered in a monochromatic palette, characteristic of Escher’s meticulous attention to detail, which imparts a stark contrast between the cacti and their background. The top of the artwork features Latin text, while the bottom contains additional inscriptions in Dutch, aligning with the traditional emblem style to convey a deeper symbolic message. The illustration demonstrates Escher’s adept skill in merging intricate botanical forms with classical textual elements, creating a piece that challenges the observer both visually and intellectually.