The artwork titled “Mascot,” created by M.C. Escher in 1917, belongs to the Expressionism art movement and is classified as a still life.
In this particular piece, the artist presents a solitary figure, which appears to be a small, robust, and indeterminate entity with a largely humanoid shape, seated against a field of dark, crosshatched shadows. The intricate details and varying shades of light and darkness invite the observer to introspect on the intricacies of form and the contrast between the subject and its background. The artwork is signed by Escher, reinforcing the authenticity and personal touch of the artist’s early exploration into the realm of visual expression, thus emphasizing its contemplative and almost meditative quality.