The artwork, titled “Sundial (XXIV Emblemata: rejected plate),” is a woodcut piece created by renowned artist M.C. Escher in 1931. It belongs to the Expressionism art movement and falls within the landscape genre.
In the artwork, multiple angular lines radiate from a central semicircular form, reminiscent of the sun’s rays emanating outward. Encasing this central image is a meticulously crafted border featuring decorative numerals and geometric shapes that contribute to the overall thematic interpretation. Beneath the visual depiction, an inscription in Dutch reflects upon the ephemeral nature of time, paralleling the sundial’s function of measuring hours. The composition’s stark contrast and intricate patterning are characteristic of Escher’s unique style, intertwining both the mathematical precision and artistic creativity prominent in his oeuvre.
