“Sky and Water II,” created by M.C. Escher in 1938, is an exemplary piece within the art movement of Op Art, specifically classified under the genre of tessellation. The artwork demonstrates Escher’s masterful use of mathematical concepts to create visually engaging and stimulating patterns.
The artwork intricately blends two forms—birds and fish—transitioning smoothly from one to the other in a mesmerizing tessellation. The upper section of the artwork showcases birds rendered in black, flying against a white background, which progressively transforms into fish that are depicted in white against a black background. This seamless metamorphosis of shapes reflects Escher’s fascination with infinity and the interplay between positive and negative space. The precision in the alignment of the creatures ensures that neither disrupts the integrity of the other, creating a continuous and harmonious visual experience. The contrast between the two halves of the image, combined with the detailed craftsmanship, highlights the artist’s skill and the mathematical precision underlying his work.
