Escher was born in Leeuwarden in Holland on June 17th, 1898. He was the youngest of 4 brothers. He is usually referred to by his initials which stand for Maurits Cornelis. His family called him Mauk. His father was a civil engineer. The family moved to Arnhem where he grew up and went to high school.
His last tessellation was a solution to a puzzle sent to him by Roger Penrose, the mathematician. Escher solved it and, true to form, changed the angular wood blocks into rounded 'ghosts'.
Escher died in a home for old artists on 27th March, 1972. He had produced 448 woodcuts, linocuts and lithos and over 2000 drawings.
See more examples of his work in 'Galleries - Escher'.
Penrose 'ghosts' - 1971
By permission Cordon Art - see site information.