Snakes
M.C. Escher, Snakes, woodcut in green, orange and black, printed from three blocks, 49,8 x 44,7 cm, July 1969
In 1969, at the age of 71, Escher completed his last work: Snakes. In this woodcut, three snakes wind their way through a network of large and small circles. Even at this advanced age, Escher was able to carve the most minute details into the wood with a steady hand. For Snakes, he used three blocks of wood, one for each colour. By printing each block three times, revolving around a central point, Escher created a continuous circle. This perfect mastery of technique, the symmetry of the print, and the realistic details all successfully combine to make Snakes a magnificent finale to his oeuvre.