Hand with Reflective sphere

BY: M.C. ESCHER

My Inspiration

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ATTRACTED TO STRANGE ART, THE MIND BOGGLEING, MATHEMATICAL TYPE THAT LEAVES ONE MESMERIZED. I INTRODUCED TO THE WORKS OF M.C. ESCHER, EARLY IN MY YEARS OF PRACTICING ART AND HAVE BEEN FACINATED WITH HIS STYLE OF ART EVER SINCE.

ESHERS ATTENTION TO DETAIL IS EXTRAORDINARY AND HIS SEAMLESS TRANSITIONING IMAGERY IS SIMILAR TO AN ILLUSION ON PAPER. THE LITOGRAPH HAND WITH REFLECTING SPHERE, ALSO KNOWN AS "SELF PORTRAIT IN SPHERICAL MIRROR", DEPICTS A HAND HOLDING A REFLECTIVE SPHERE WHERE THE ARTIST AND HIS IMMIDIATE SURROUNDINGS ARE VISIBLY IMPACTED BY THE OBJECTS SHAPE.

IN THIS PIECE, ESCHER DOES THE UNUSUAL AND SHOWS THE MEANS BY WHICH ALL SELF-PORTRAITS MUST BE CREATED. HE MAKES THE MIRROR THE SUBJECT OF HIS PIECE. LESS ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO HIS OWN REFLECTION BUT RATHER, TO THE WAY THE SPACE DISTORTS BY A CONVEX REFLECTIVE SURFACE.