Pentedattio, Calabria (October 1930) (1930) by M.C. Escher

Pentedattio, Calabria (October 1930) - M.C. Escher - 1930

Artwork Information

TitlePentedattio, Calabria (October 1930)
ArtistM.C. Escher
Date1930
Mediumlithography
Art MovementSurrealism

About Pentedattio, Calabria (October 1930)

“Pentedattilo, Calabria (October 1930)” is a lithographic artwork created by M.C. Escher in the year 1930. Belonging to the Surrealism art movement, the artwork features a landscape genre, exquisitely capturing the unique essence of the Calabria region in October of that period. The medium of lithography was employed to create this piece, which stands as a testament to Escher’s skill in manipulating texture and depth to render the composition.

In the artwork, the viewer is presented with a strikingly intricate portrayal of the small, ancient village of Pentedattilo in Calabria, Italy. The village appears to be set against a backdrop of monumental rock formations that almost seamlessly blend with the architectural structures, a characteristic interplay of nature and human habitation that is typical of Escher’s oeuvre. The five-fingered rock formation, which lends its name to the village (penta meaning “five” and dactylos “fingers”), dominates the scene, and M.C. Escher meticulously illustrates the details of the rock texture as well as the distinctive features of the buildings.

Nested densely at the base of the craggy cliff, the individual houses are depicted with precision, their façades shaded and highlighted to give a realistic sense of volume and space. The surrounding vegetation is finely etched, adding to the overall depth and intricacy of the scene. Light and shadow are masterfully used not only to accentuate the forms but also to create a dramatic contrast between the man-made structures and the monumental natural forms above them. With the touch of surrealism inherent in his work, Escher transforms an ordinary landscape into a captivating visual narrative that transcends mere representation, inviting contemplation of the harmonious yet complex relationship between humanity and the natural world.

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