Maurits Cornelis ("MC") Escher (Dutch, 1898-1972), "Modderplas (Puddle)," 1952, color woodcut, signed "M.C. Escher" in pencil lower left, inscribed "Eigendruk" in pencil lower right, impression: 9.4"h x 12.6"w (23.8cm x 32cm), paper (overall unframed): 11.2"h x 14.5"w, Ref: Bool, 378. Provenance: Napa, California collection, Property of Dr. Giles W. Mead Jr. (Director, Los Angeles County Nautical History Museum).
This rather brilliant woodcut was for sale at Clars Auction Gallery in Oakland, CA and was estimated at USD20-40,000 and achieved USD15,000. Despite the rather heady estimate and price achieved, it is a fine piece.
12 comments:
Delicious item. I love nothing better than cautiously peering into a puddle only to see a better me equally cautiously peering back. What a wobbly upside-down world my better me lives in.
Indeed, the better mes. The better me is actually my evil twin, whom I can usefully blame for things I would only ever dream of. The real me is quite forgiving of such transgressive behaviour. It all works out swimmingly. I have a feeling the evil twin will be misbehaving tonight...tonight, the world is wild and bright.
Columnist, thank you for alerting me to an auction house I was unaware of in my own back yard. Looks like they have some good sales.
A very fine woodcut, too.
Yes, they do. I must say I rather like this woodcut, but it's pricey. Instead I've bought a couple of things in Florida - one the Queen Victoria book, and another a silver sauce boat, which had my name on it. (Well, my initials at least.) So it was obvious it had to be mine.
Beautiful woodcut! i love wood sculptures, solid wood with rough edges, wood sculptures...
Dear Columnist - You have highlighted my very favorite of Escher's woodcuts. It takes an artist of the first caliber to make an ordinary mud puddle into something of exquisite beauty!
This is a very appealing work by Escher. The ground is defaced with tire tracks and footprints, yet manages to reflect back beautiful nature. Still, there must be an interesting point here about when man and nature get out of balance.
Francine - some wood carvings are indeed beautiful. They're rather good at it here, as I'm sure you know.
Mark - I have to confess to not having heard of Escher, but I am delighted to have come across him.
Parnassus - that's very deep, but I'm sure you're right.
Strangely captivating, I want to stare at the puddle for hours!
It is a picture that would continue to attract. I do like it. But pricey!
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