Tessellations and M. C.

Escher

What is a tessellation? A tessellation is the tiling of a plane utilizing multiple different

kinds of geometric shapes called tiles. Tessellations are used in many ways such as in art and

architecture. We differentiate tessellations in categories: periodic, non-periodic, and aperiodic.

Tessellations that are periodic are narrowed down into two smaller categories: regular and semi-

regular. Regular tessellations are polygonal tiles, which are all the same shape. Semi regular

tessellations are tiles of more than one shape with every corner arranged identically. Non-

periodic tessellations are a tiling that lacks a repeating pattern. Aperiodic tessellations apply a

miniature set of tile shapes that cannot form a repeating pattern. Tessellations are an application

of transformations in mathematical geometry. In mathematical geometry, transformations are the

change of a single shape in ways called translations, rotations, and reflections. When these

concepts are implemented into real world engineering, one of the major products are

tessellations. This is because the creation of a tessellation counts on the altering of a single

shape. In the dimensions of higher geometry, the honeycomb pattern, otherwise known as space

filling, is a valid example of a tessellation. A real-life tessellation is usually made from materials

such as cemented ceramic squares or hexagons, usually for decorative purposes. Sometimes, they

even serve a purpose as a durable, water resistant pavement, floor, or wall. Tessellations have a

rich history in roman empires and Islamic empires. Settlers in these ancient civilizations used

tessellations to their advantage to create stunningly beautiful artwork that are preserved to this

day. How has their innovation influenced our modern-day society? In this research report, I will

go in depth into explaining tessellations as well as an important figure in the art of tessellations,

M.C. Escher.
 Tessellations require specific properties. There is a norm to follow or else, a piece of

artwork wouldn’t be considered a tessellation. The properties are simple and straight forward.

Shapes in repeated pattern. A clear example of this would be a soccer ball. The hexagons on the

soccer ball are a repeated shape. Next, Tessellations have to continue without a gap. If there is a

pattern of the same shape, but a sudden hiatus in between, it would not be considered a

tessellation. Furthermore, Regular Tessellations must be formed with congruent regular

polygons. Tessellations have an extensive history. Tessellations came from many different

cultures and were used in civilizations such as Italy, Russia, most middle eastern countries, and

many more. It all began in the year 1619. The discovery of tessellations was made by Johannes

Kepler. He did mathematical research of tessellations and recorded his findings. The past of

Tessellations has a great impact on our modern day world. An example of a Tessellation in

nature includes the nest of bees. If you look closely at the nest, you will notice repeated

hexagons. This is called the honeycomb pattern, one of the most common examples of

tessellations. An example of a manmade tessellation includes the design of architectural

developments of buildings and the patterns on a sidewalk.

There is so much to know about Tessellations but who made more discoveries about

Tessellations in the last century? A man named M.C. Escher, Maurits Cornelis Escher, played an

important role in creating fascinating and unique mathematical art. Escher was a man who was

interested in every tessellation. He called his interests in tessellations “metamorphoses”.

M.C. Escher began his life on June 17th, 1898 in Leeuwarden, Friesland, The

Netherlands. He was born into a family where he was the youngest son of George Arnold Escher.

Growing up, M.C. Escher did not do well in school. He was known as a “sickly child”. M.C.

Escher failed the second grade and was placed into special school immediately at the age of
seven. After doing poor in school but excelling in art, M.C. graduated secondary school in 1918

when he started attending Technical college of Deft. A year later from 1919-1922 M.C. Escher

attended the school of Haarlem School of Architecture and Decorative Arts. He studied

architecture for a brief period of time, but due to a persistent skin infection failed a number of

subjects. He then started to learn decorative arts. In 1922, M.C. Escher took a trip to numerous

parts of the European continent including Italy and Spain. Little would he know that this trip

would change his perception of the world. While in Italy, he was astonished by the Italian

countryside and its architecture. There he discovered the fourteenth-century Alhambra. The

intricate decorative designs of Alhambra and vibrant patterns let out his inner artist and triggered

his lifelong interest in the mathematics of tessellations. M.C. Escher lived in Italy from 1923-

1935. While inhabiting Italy, he met the love of his life. Jetta Umiker. Jetta was a swiss women

who was interested in Italy just like him. They got married in 1924. The new couple settled in

Rome shortly after where they gave birth to their first son Giorgio (George) Arnaldo Escher was

born. They later had two other sons Arthur and Jan. Throughout M.C. Escher’s life he travelled a

lot exploring the vast world of architecture and art. He also created numerous artworks of his

own that involves mosaic patterns and tessellations. His artworks were known to be created in

his own studio rather than a field. In 1970, Escher retired and later passed away in March 27th,

1972 at the age of 73. The world now recognizes his contribution in mathematical artwork

throughout his life. The information for this biography was gathered on Wikipedia.org.

M.C. Escher made many contributions to art and mathematics. A few examples include,

first, his artwork influenced Douglas Hofstadter's 1979 book Gödel, Escher, Bach. A book about

fundamental mathematics. Secondly, he was able to display insects and plants in vivid detail with

his artwork. He drew inspiration from nature, especially insects and plants. He wanted to study
them as in-depth as possible to create art from them, but at the same time he was able to show

them in detail in his artwork. Lastly, He made a dramatic impact in the architectural world.

While studying abroad, he became fascinated by the patterns on certain buildings. He decided to

draw them and later his drawings were so detailed they could be used to build off. M.C. Fischer’s

contributions are duly noted on mcescher.com

During M.C. Fischer’s career, he created countless outstanding pieces of work. All of

these pieces of work are together and displayed on mcfischer.com/gallery. First of all, The

“Metamorphosis”. The “Metamorphosis” is a woodcut where morphing occurs in an image into a

tessellated pattern and then slowly alter that pattern to eventually become a new image. The

piece was completed in 1940. It measures 19.2 by 389.5. Another piece of work includes the

“Sky and Water”. The Sky and Water” is a woodcut where the bottom end to the middle of the

piece are fishes in a pattern formation, and the top end to the middle is a pattern formation of

birds. "In the horizontal center strip there are birds and fish equivalent to each other. We

associate flying with sky, and so for each of the black birds the sky in which it is flying is formed

by the four white fish which encircle it. Similarly swimming makes us think of water, and

therefore the four black birds that surround a fish become the water in which it swims." (M.C.

Escher). This piece of artwork is just like a jigsaw puzzle and tries to trick the eye with its black

and white elements. It measures 43.5 cm by 43.9 cm. One more piece of work created by M.C.

Escher is the “Relatively”. This piece of artwork is one of M.C. E schers signature pieces. The

goal of this piece was to deliver a world where there are no law laws of physics. No gravity.

After carefully analyzing this piece, there are people who are living their regular lives but don’t

question the weird placement of structures do to the neglecting of gravity. The way the humans

are drawn are similar to other pieces of M.C. Escher’s work.

interesting facts about him. First, as a kid, M.C. Escher did poor in school with little

mathematical knowledge. Secondly, after creating many pieces of mathematical geometry, it was

later found out that he had no mathematical education. A large portion of his artwork included

Tessellations, a part of mathematical geometry. Third, He was awarded the Knighthood of the

Order of Orange Nassau in 1955. This means that he earned special merit for society and is

eligible for appointment.

http://www.mcescher.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._C._Escher

http://platonicrealms.com/minitexts/Mathematical-Art-Of-M-C-Escher/

https://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/features/slideshows/mc-escher-life-and-work.html

https://www.biography.com/people/mc-escher-39783?_escaped_fragment_=