Here's why Escher is widely regarded as the master of tessellation:
1. Groundbreaking Approach: Escher's tessellations are distinctive and ground-breaking. Unlike other artists who focused primarily on intricate designs, Escher created tessellations with a narrative and visual storytelling element. His works often depicted surreal landscapes, impossible constructions, and intricate geometric patterns.
2. Use of Unexpected Shapes: While many tessellations typically use regular shapes like triangles or hexagons, Escher experimented with irregular shapes and intricate interlocking patterns. He created tessellations with complex and unusual combinations of shapes, giving his works a unique visual depth and complexity.
3. Mathematical Precision: Escher had a profound understanding of mathematics, geometry, and symmetry, which allowed him to create tessellations with high precision and accuracy. He carefully planned and calculated the interlocking patterns, ensuring that they perfectly fit together without any gaps or overlaps.
4. Artistic Techniques: Escher's tessellations are not just mathematical exercises but also exquisite works of art. He combined his mathematical skills with artistic techniques such as shading, perspective, and engraving to create visually captivating and aesthetically pleasing tessellations.
5. Influence and Inspiration: Escher's tessellations have profoundly influenced contemporary art, mathematics, and design. He popularized the art of tessellation, inspiring other artists and mathematicians to explore and experiment with this field. His works have been used in architecture, graphic design, and various artistic disciplines.
Overall, Maurits Cornelis Escher's revolutionary approach to tessellation, his mathematical precision, and his fusion of art and mathematics make him the acclaimed "king of tessellation." He set a high standard for tessellation art and pushed the boundaries of creativity, leaving a lasting impact on the artistic and mathematical communities.