“Ad summa nitens, nihil consequor”. [Kite] – Gereserveerd

Original print, 1931. Original woodcut (18.0 x 14.0 cm) on Japanese paper sheet (26.6 x 17.8 cm). In frame.

A fine example of the art of Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898-1972). In 1931, the art historian and director of the Dutch Historical Institute in Rome, G. J. Hoogewerff, contacted Escher for a new project: modern emblemata, in the style of the 17th century Dutch emblemata, being four-lined epigrams - with a single illustration and a Latin motto - of an allegorical, esoteric and philosophical nature. Escher contributed 24 woodblock designs, each combined with Hoogewerff's text. This most probably is a proof of one of these designs, known by the Dutch name "Vlieger" (kite) - the principal object in this work. The Latin text above could be translated as "Shining high, followed by nothing". The Dutch text below reads: "Push me, an upward force, a forces that ties me down, an aimless thing to the eye, [a] lofty toy of a child". In 1932, the complete series was published in a book titled "XXIV Emblemata". Interestingly, for this book Hoogewerff used a pseudonym: "Drijfhout". This is a fairly common Dutch name that means "driftwood". Two versions of "Kite" were made; the other (Bool 155) at the same time as this one. However, it is much more narrow, and therefore deviates from Escher's other "Emblemata" designs in width. This Escher print has a paper size - and thus a margin size - considerably larger than usual. As noted, this probably indicates that this is a proof print. Escher's monogram in the top centre, below "nihil". Not examined out of frame. A very good copy. Bool 165.

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