The artwork, titled “Metamorphosis II excerpt 2,” was created by the artist M.C. Escher in 1939. It is part of the Op Art movement and belongs to the genre of tessellation. This piece is also a segment of a larger series titled “Metamorphosis.”
The artwork features a complex and visually captivating series of transformations, beginning on the left with the word “METAMORPHOSE” repeated in a grid-like pattern. As the eye moves to the right, these rectilinear forms gradually morph into black-and-white checkerboard patterns. This checkerboard layout then transitions into an intricate tessellation of interlocking lizard-like shapes. These lizard forms shift from black to white, and eventually into a mix that includes tones of green, showcasing Escher’s masterful ability to explore spatial and visual transformation. The smooth gradation of patterns exemplifies Escher’s meticulous attention to detail and his fascination with the concept of metamorphosis, making the piece both intellectually stimulating and aesthetically intriguing.