Birds and Ponies, aka, Horses and Birds, 1949

Wood Engraving
87 by 92 mm (3 3/8 x 2 7/8”) ​

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Escher's Birds and Ponies shares a similar layout as the masterwork Sky and Water.  In this case, an earth-dwelling pony fades into the sky to give way to birds and the birds rise from the ground like in the iconic Day and Night. Escher liked the tessellation enough to place it just right of center stage in Metamorphosis III...a whole 20 years after he created it. Prior to that, it adorned announcements for his exhibitions.

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This work is printed from the original block. ​The block was carved in September of 1949 and then used to print this invitation for the exhibit the following month at the Boymans Museum.

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A very few of these prints on cream paper without any lettering also exist.  I have one of each available at this time.  

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Preparatory sketch not for sale.