Long before the first computer-generated 3-D images, M.C. Escher was a master

of the third dimension. His impossible geometry and illusions, bordering between the scientific and psychological, are an homage to the possibilities of the human mind. This updated edition of a true classic presents the artist's key graphic works and detailed explanations of each mathematical problem.

Impossible Illusions

The enigmatic works of M.C. Escher

"A woman once rang me up and said, ‘Mr. Escher, I am absolutely crazy about your work. In your print Reptiles, you have given such a striking illustration of reincarnation.' I replied, ‘Madame, if that's the way you see it, so be it.'" A fittingly sly comment from renowned Dutch graphic artist Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898–1972), whose complex and ambiguous drawings continue to leave hasty interpretations far behind.

Long before the first computer-generated 3-D images, Escher was a

master of the third dimension. His lithograph Magic Mirror dates as far back as 1946. By taking such a title for the book, mathematician Bruno Ernst stressed the enrapturing spell Escher's work invariably casts on those who see it. Ernst visited Escher every week for a year, systematically talking through his entire oeuvre with him. Their discussions resulted in a friendship that gave Ernst intimate access to the life and conceptual world of Escher. Ernst's account was meticulously scrutinized and made accurate by the artist himself.

Escher's work refuses to be pigeonholed. Scientific, psychological, or aesthetic criteria alone cannot do it justice. The questions remain: Why did he create the pictures? How did he construct them? What preliminary studies were necessary before achieving the final version? And how are his various creations interrelated? This updated and redesigned edition of a true classic—complete with biographical data, 250 illustrations,

and a thorough breaking-down of each mathematical problem—offers

answers to these and many other lingering mysteries, and is an authentic source text of the first order.

The Magic Mirror of M.C. Escher

Bruno Ernst

Hardcover, 23 x 30 cm, 1.22 kg, 160 pages

ISBN 978-3-8365-8484-5

Edition: English

早在电脑生成三维图像之前，M.C.埃舍尔（M.C. Escher）就是三维空间大师了。他不可能的几何学和幻觉，在科学和心理学之间徘徊，是对人类思维可能性的致敬。这本真正的经典之作的更新版介绍了这位艺术家的主要图形作品和对每个数学问题的详细解释。

不可能的幻觉

M.C.埃舍尔的神秘作品

“有一次，一位女士给我打电话说：‘埃舍尔先生，我对您的作品完全着了迷，您的这幅版画把轮回再生的过程描绘得那么生动。’我回答说：‘夫人，如果你是这样认为的，那就这样吧’”。荷兰知名平面艺术家莫里斯·科内利斯·埃舍尔（Maurits Cornelis Escher，1898-1972）如此恰如其分地评论道，他复杂而模糊的画作继续将草率的解释远远抛在后面。

早在电脑生成三维图像之前，埃舍尔就已经是个三维空间的大师了。他的石版画《魔镜》最早可以追溯到1946年。数学家布鲁诺·恩斯特（Bruno Ernst）用这样的书名来强调埃舍尔的作品总是给看到它的人带来令人陶醉的咒语。在一年的时间里，恩斯特每周都去拜访埃舍尔，系统地与他讨论他的全部作品。他们的讨论产生了一种友谊，使恩斯特有机会亲密接触埃舍尔的生活和概念世界。艺术家本人也细致地审查和肯定了恩斯特的叙述。

埃舍尔是一名无法“归类”的艺术家。仅凭科学、心理或审美标准都无法对其进行公正评价。以下问题依然存在：他为什么要创作这些图片？他是如何构建它们的？在实现最终版本之前，有哪些初步研究是必要的？以及他的各种创作之间是如何相互关联的？这本真正的经典之作的更新版本拥有完整的传记资料、250幅插图和对每个数学问题的彻底分解，为许多挥之不去的谜团提供了答案，并且来自**手真实文本。

M.C.艾舍尔的魔镜

布鲁诺·恩斯特

精装，23 x 30厘米，1.22公斤，160页

ISBN 978-3-8365-8484-5

语言版本：英语