This website uses cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies on this website to analyze visits and to show you relevant messages on social media. By clicking 'Accept all' you give permission for their placement and for the processing of personal data obtained in this way, as stated in our privacy & cookie statement.

Our privacy & cookie statement:

Summer 1930
3 August 2019

Summer 1930

The year 1930 proved to be a year of illness for Escher and his sons George and Arthur: he himself suffered from intestal pains and toothache and his sons had pneumonia, ear infections and a whooping cough. In addition, he hardly sold anything and there were no assignments for new work.*

Castrovalva (1930) and Castle in the Air (1928) were on display in the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam in April, as part of the group exhibition by artists’ association St. Lucas, which was celebrating its 50th jubilee. Escher was a member, but he would go on to cancel his membership some months later. In 1930 there was only one solo exhibition of his work. This took place in the Baarnsch Lyceum’s (now demolished) villa Waldheim in June.

Weisstannen, July 1930. Pages from one of the photo albums of M.C. Escher.

Weisstannen, July 1930. Pages from one of the photo albums of M.C. Escher.

The family spent a large part of the summer in Switzerland. So Escher could take work trips, though primarily for relaxation. They stayed mostly in Steckborn. The Escher family spent some time there almost every summer between 1927 and 1938. They stayed with Jetta’s sister Nina and her husband Oskar Schibler. Just like in 1929, they stayed there for several months.

Escher’s diary from 29 June until 12 July 1930, containing the itinerary for Weisstannen. He also wrote a shopping list for the Netherlands, which prominently features ‘pindakaas!!!’ (peanut butter). The diary contains a reminder for him to cancel his mem

Escher’s diary from 29 June until 12 July 1930, containing the itinerary for Weisstannen. He also wrote a shopping list for the Netherlands, which prominently features ‘pindakaas!!!’ (peanut butter). The diary contains a reminder for him to cancel his mem

From Steckborn Escher travelled to the Netherlands for appointments as well as to Paris at the beginning of September for an interview with G.J. Hoogewerff about his Emblemata series. There was also time for relaxation at the Schiblers’ place in Steckborn, but the family also went on trips by themselves. At the beginning of July they travelled to Weisstannen, a valley with lush green meadows, a sparkling river that runs right through the centre and waterfalls that flow from the mountains and the cliffs on either side. At the end of August they holidayed together with Maurits and Jetta’s parents in Ragaz, which was located a little further on.

Escher and his sons George and Arthur in Weisstannen, Switzerland, July 1930

Escher and his sons George and Arthur in Weisstannen, Switzerland, July 1930

Sons George and Arthur, Jetta, Maurits' parents and Jetta's mother (center left), Ragaz, August 1930

Sons George and Arthur, Jetta, Maurits' parents and Jetta's mother (center left), Ragaz, August 1930

Source

[*]Wim Hazeu, M.C. Escher, Een biografie, Meulenhoff, 1998, page 146

Erik Kersten

Erik Kersten

Editor

Share:

More Escher today

Man on the moon

Man on the moon

On 20 July 1969 Neil Armstrong took the first steps on the moon, exactly 50 years ago. He descended the stairs, set his foot on the powdery lunar surface and said: ‘That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind’. The Apollo 11 mission still counts as one of the most iconic achievements of human ingenuity. A milestone commemorated in all sorts of ways. We do not know whether M.C. Escher watched the moon landing on the night of 20 to 21 July, but it is highly likely. He has depicted the moon in his work on multiple occasions.
Concentric Rinds

Concentric Rinds

Like an intriguing jewel on a jet-black background, the shells from this wood engraving illuminate the immense dark space behind it. Concentric Rinds is one of Escher’s most ingenious works as well as one of his most mysterious.
Lone Sloane's Relativity

Lone Sloane's Relativity

Philippe Druillet, born on 28 June 1944, is known for his baroque drawings and bizarre science fiction stories. After having worked as a photographer for several years, Druillet made his debut in comics in 1966 with 'Lone Sloane, le Mystère des Abîmes', a comic book that drew inspiration from Druillet's favorite writers H.P. Lovecraft en A.E. van Vogt. Later, Druillet would design several covers for re-issues of Lovecraft's work, and a number of filmposters.