MC Escher fascinates at the Berkshire Museum
A fascinating new exhibition, MC Escher: Seeing the Unseen, opens Saturday at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, Mass., offering museum-goers the opportunity to see not only iconic, well-known works by this popular twentieth-century artist, but a generous selection of Escher’s early work, from meticulous renderings of insects to lovely Italian landscapes and a mesmerizing seascape. The show, which will be on view through May 22, includes well over one hundred works of art as well as videos, pop culture ephemera, and even a display of black-light posters.
Curated by Maria Mingalone, the museum’s director of interpretation, the exhibition includes 120 original prints, woodcuts, drawings, and sketches by Escher, including 57 pieces from the collection of Boston Public Library, and other hard-to-find prints on loan from major Escher collectors and dealers.
The first gallery boasts early woodcuts and drawings by Escher, an assortment of images that demonstrate his superb drawing ability and interest in the natural world. Escher was Dutch, but time spent in Italy and in Spain had a lasting effect on his work. On entering the second gallery, a Moorish tile represents one of Escher’s important inspirations,
and mandala-like images display his first experiments with the interlocking designs, based on the tile mosaics, that became his signature.
and mandala-like images display his first experiments with the interlocking designs, based on the tile mosaics, that became his signature.
In Escher’s original prints and drawings, it is possible to see and appreciate the exceptional technical mastery he brought to the work, as well as to notice the tiny details that are imperceptible when the images are reproduced: impossibly small figures populate the stairways and terraces and repeating designs of lizards, birds, or insects become smaller and smaller until they almost disappear.
A number of Escher’s most famous images are part of the exhibition, as are the epic scrolls Metamorphosis II and Metamorphosis III, rarely on public view. Seldom-seen sketches and preparatory drawings offer insight into Escher’s work, as do the samples of woodblocks and some of Escher’s well-worn drafting tools.
The third gallery contains later work as well as Escher images used on album covers, magazine covers, shirts, and toys. The exhibition graphics are particularly effective as well, with an array of telling quotations from Escher himself. This new family-friendly exhibition, MC Escher: Seeing the Unseen, is full of marvelous visual surprises.
A full day of events marks the opening of MC Escher: Seeing the Unseen on Saturday, January 22:
1 to 4 Ongoing drawing activities: All ages and abilities are welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. Included with regular museum admission.
1 p.m. The Art of Printmaking: An intro to woodcut prints. Included with regular museum admission.
3 p.m. Escher’s Animals: Meet some of the animals that inspired Escher in this hands-on demonstration, featuring live animals and specimens from our collection. Appropriate for all ages. Included with regular museum admission.
4 p.m. MC Escher’s Amazing Images: A multimedia presentation by noted Escher expert and collector Jeffrey Price, exploring the techniques, inspirations, and life and times of the enigmatic artist whose unmistakable imagery has permeated pop culture and inspired artists, mathematicians, and scientists alike. Included with regular museum admission.
5 to 7 Opening Reception: Refreshments, mingle with Escher experts, and experience the full exhibition. Museum admission is free for all on January 22 after 5.
Berkshire Museum
Pittsfield, Mass.
Museum admission is $13 for adults and $6 for children; free for members.
Open 10 to 5, Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 on Sunday.
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