The Dutch artist M.C. Escher (1898–1972) doesn’t fit neatly into any 20th-century art movement, which may explain why he was long overlooked by art historians. Mathematicians, on the other hand, recognised his work early on. Escher built his intricate prints on mathematical ideas, paired with a boundless imagination. His travels also shaped his vision: the steep, angular villages of Italy and the Moorish patterns of southern Spain inspired the illusionistic figures and seamless transformations that became his signature. He remains one of the most technically skilled and conceptually distinctive printmakers of his time.
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This July, Christie’s New York is holding an online auction devoted entirely to Escher. It includes well-known prints alongside rarely seen drawings, a rare chance for collectors of Escher and of works on paper more generally.
Of the 65 works in the sale, 58 come from the collection of filmmaker Robert Owen Lehman Jr. Proceeds will support the Robert Owen Lehman Foundation, established by his father, Robert Owen Lehman (1891–1969). Lehman Sr., who led the investment bank Lehman Brothers for many years, was a major art collector and a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He left the museum some 3,000 works, including pieces by Matisse, de Vlaminck, Suzanne Valadon, and Goya.
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In a statement, Lehman Jr. said, “As a collector of M.C. Escher for nearly fifty years, I look forward to seeing these great works by the artist move on to new collectors, as owning them has been a labor of love. I will be forever grateful to the Dutch polymath for the joy and fascination he has brought to me and my family over the years. The proceeds of this sale will be used to support the appreciation of classical music through the Robert Owen Lehman Foundation, and since Escher was as passionate about music as I am, I trust he would approve."
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Lindsay Griffith, Head of Prints and Multiples at Christie’s New York, said, “It's a pleasure to offer this unprecedented collection of M.C. Escher. Escher was a skilled artist who seamlessly bridged the worlds of art, mathematics, and science in the mid-twentieth century. Today, his influence remains as important as ever, with a fascinating body of work that continues to mesmerize and inspire minds across the world. We are thrilled to present the market with this fantastic selection including works benefiting the Robert Owen Lehman Foundation.”
The online auction, M.C. Escher: The Art of Infinity, runs from July 8 to 22.
