The artwork titled “Fishes and Scales,” created by the esteemed artist M.C. Escher in 1959, is a notable example of the Op Art movement and showcases the genre of tessellation.
The artwork features a complex and visually engaging pattern of fish, intricately interwoven to create a seamless and repetitive design. This pattern showcases Escher’s exceptional skill in creating optical illusions, where the fish are meticulously arranged so that their shapes and scales fit together perfectly, forming a continuous, harmonious whole. The precision and symmetry inherent in the tessellation highlight the mathematical and artistic brilliance of Escher, making the artwork both aesthetically captivating and intellectually stimulating. Notably, the use of monochromatic black and white enhances the visual impact, emphasizing the interplay between the shapes and scales of the fish.