Emblemata – Squirrel (1931) by M.C. Escher

Emblemata - Squirrel - M.C. Escher - 1931

Artwork Information

TitleEmblemata - Squirrel
ArtistM.C. Escher
Date1931
Art MovementSurrealism

About Emblemata - Squirrel

The artwork titled “Emblemata – Squirrel” was created by M.C. Escher in the year 1931. This piece belongs to the genre of illustration and is part of the series “XXIV Emblemata dat zijn zinne-beelden,” which aligns with the Surrealism art movement.

The artwork depicts a meticulously detailed forest scene dominated by tall, dark tree trunks that extend vertically across the composition. Among the trees, a small squirrel is shown clinging to one of the trunks. The intricate lines and sharp contrasts between light and shadow evoke a sense of depth and mystery. Above the scene, there is a Latin inscription, “Silva motum arenta continens silet,” which can be interpreted to mean something along the lines of “The dry wood, holding back its motion, is silent.” Below the image, a text in Dutch reads, “Het kraakt: er kraakt iets las in ‘t bosch, het rept; dan staat het woud weer stil in stite,” which translates to, “It creaks: something is creaking in the forest, it stirs; then the forest stands still again in silence.” This artwork exemplifies Escher’s skillful use of contrast and detail to create compelling and thought-provoking imagery.

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