You have surely, at some point, come across the works of the Dutch visual artist Maurits Cornelis Escher. Come on, remember those unique animal metamorphoses, those buildings where the top and bottom blend into a nightmare of logic, or those endless stairs that seemingly go nowhere, just like in the game center of the series Squid Game. Are you with me? For the first time in Paris, an institution is paying tribute to the scientific and poetic genius of this unique artist, for our great pleasure.
At the Crossroads of Worlds
He is undoubtedly one of the most paradoxical artists of the 20th century. Because while few know his name, his engravings have been part of the collective imagination for decades. Today, the work of this limitless creator is finally being revealed in a unique retrospective,
to restore all the nobility to the genius of M.C. Escher. From room to room, the Monnaie de Paris, in partnership with Arthemisia, invites you to discover the full extent of his talent.Voir cette publication sur Instagram
One thing is for sure, from his very first landscape engravings to his latest creations exploring the concepts of infinity and metamorphosis, along with his biblical inspirations and slightly macabre tendencies, his works will definitely leave an impression on you. Here, the black and white dominates—with a few exceptions—designed to give full power to the geometric form and its intrinsic poetry.
Fascinating Illusions
As you wander through the exhibition, you'll dive into endless universes, filled with paradoxes that, while seeming plausible at first, quickly unveil their complexity to perplex and invite you to see all the impossibility.
of their achievement. It's hard not to spend a long time in front of works like Link, which illustrates the principle of the Mobius strip, or Relativity, where the stairs endlessly draw us from one end to the other of the engraving.Voir cette publication sur Instagram
It's also hard not to see why this artist has fascinated the scientific community through his works, to the point where some of his prints were exhibited at the International Congress of Mathematicians in 1954 in Amsterdam. A truly complex, modern body of work that has continuously inspired singers, filmmakers, and other animated producers over time, making M.C. Escher a true reference of the shadow.
At the heart of a magical world
To enhance the experience and immerse us even deeper—and more literally—into the unique world of this singular artist, throughout the visit, the Monnaie de Paris offers a series of immersive installations. From room to room, we penetrate into grand illusions, within rooms filled with mirrors, others creating optical illusions around size, or still others to step into the shoes of the artist creating a self-portrait.
A complete, fascinating and thoughtfully designed exhibition that gives a well-deserved tribute to this illustrious unknown. Don’t miss it !
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M.C. Escher
Monnaie de Paris
11, Quai de Conti – 6th
Until March 1, 2026
More info