M.C. Escher (1898-1972)
Flowers, Lilies, 1931
Woodcut
7.12 x 5.37 in (18.08 x 13.64 cm)
Price on Request
Limited-edition
Initialed "MCE" in the ink bottom left corner
Catalogue raisonné: Bool #156
Custom frame dimensions: 17" high x 14.5" wide
The Lily is a symbol of spring and featured in an extremely rare early print by
M.C. Escher. In 1931 Escher completed a series of "Emblemata" woodcuts that combined
image and text into pictures with multiple levels of meaning. The text here in Latin
and Dutch reflects on beauty, wonder, and transience. Escher's lily was created
as part of the Emblemata set but was never printed in the actual edition, and so
became one of his rarest images from this period. A tiny edition was printed for
the arts journal 'Elseviers,' and it is engraved with Escher's classic MCE initials
in the block. Additionally, his name is printed below the image together with the
note in Dutch, "original woodcut."
© The M.C. Escher Company B.V.