The artwork titled “Scholastica,” crafted by the artist M.C. Escher in 1931, is a remarkable illustration belonging to the Surrealism art movement. It is part of the series “De vreeselijke avonturen van Scholastica.”
The artwork is a monochromatic illustration displaying a whimsical, surreal forest scene. The foreground features a large, intricately detailed tree, upon which an owl with large, mesmerizing eyes is perched. Below, the forest floor is populated by a variety of creatures, including cats and squirrels, all seemingly engaged in various activities. The trees, devoid of leaves, possess a serpentine quality, their branches intertwining and curling in an almost animate fashion. An enigmatic and seemingly alive rope-like figure wraps around one of the trees near the center of the artwork, enhancing the surreal, dreamlike quality of the scene. The composition of the artwork with its meticulous detailing, stark contrasts, and surreal elements, embodies Escher’s distinctive illustrative style and his exploration of fantastical themes.
