Brief Analysis of 'Hand With Reflecting Sphere' by M. C. Escher
M. C. Escher is arguably the most famous graphic artist of the 20th century. 'Hand With Reflecting Sphere' is one of his particularly intriguing pieces.
Alice Ladkin
Hand With Reflecting Sphere (1935) by M. C. Escher|MCEscher.com
The Dutch artist M. C. Escher is well-known for his graphic prints. In 1935 he produced ‘Hand With Reflecting Sphere’ (otherwise known as ‘Self-Portrait in Spherical Mirror’), an intriguing lithograph print. It is one of many self-portraits reflected onto a spherical surface that Escher created, but stands out as the most renowned piece in his collection.
Brief Biography of M. C. Escher (1898 – 1972)
Maurits Cornelia Escher was born in 1898 in the Dutch Province of Friesland. During his education, nearly all his grades were dismal; it was only in drawing that his talent and effort excelled well beyond expectation. Escher received much encouragement from his art teacher and his friends, and it was these people who persuaded him to pursue a career as a graphic artist – a field of art in which Escher is most recognised. Escher died on the 27th March 1972 in a hospital bed surrounded by his family at the age of 73.
Brief Analysis of ‘Hand With Reflecting Sphere’ (1935) by M. C. Escher
Escher’s world, in this intriguing piece of work entitled ‘Hand with Reflecting Sphere’ (1935), is trapped in reflection. The only hint the viewer has of any validity to what is shown in the reflective sphere is his hand, which incidentally merges reality and reflection.
Escher has chosen a sphere for his reflection, which creates interesting shapes, curves and lines. The delicate, fine marks create texture and the shapes he establishes seem accurate – as far as the viewer is aware – but it is the plain background which gives the viewer a feeling of mistrust, as only the reflection (as the dominant focal point) is provided as a glimpse of insight into Escher’s world.
The light, which appears to come from the window behind where Escher is seated, highlights each piece of furniture and object in the room, creating tone and casting a shadow upon Escher’s face, establishing depth. The artist leads the viewer to believe in the reality in the sphere; as Escher is absorbed, the viewer matches his contemplative mood and is thrust into the reflection. Escher’s control as the artist is emphasised, not only by putting himself central in the reflection, but also by holding up the reflection itself upwards; this symbolic gesture puts him firmly in control of both worlds – reality and reflection – and forces the viewer to be captured in the image he creates.
Escher’s ‘Hand with Reflecting Sphere’ is thought-provoking and highly meaningful. He creates a fascinating piece, despite the ordinary subject matter, just using compositional elements and forming a deeper meaning behind the composition.