An Escher-esque Excursion

This past weekend, our professor encouraged self-directed excursions throughout the country. On Friday, several graduate students and I planned a trip to the Escher Museum in Den Haag. I've always been a fan of MC Escher's art as a kid growing up, and I was absolutely psyched to get to see them in person. Transportation took less than a 40-minute train ride to the Hague from Rotterdam. Walking alongside the water canals, I took a scenic route to the museum. In combination with the torrential downpour, my visit to this place felt more solemn than the other cities I have visited in the Netherlands.

Trees of Den Haag.

The museum was housed in a former palace where the esteemed Queen Emma (1858-1898) once lived. The interior of the palace was surprisingly spacious and ornately decorated. Each room contained curious shapes of chandeliers, ranging from doves to seahorses to upside-down umbrellas. When organizing the event, I had no idea that the museum was displayed within such a royal mansion, so it was a surprising treat to get to view two separate collections for the price of one tour.

The exterior of the Escher Museum.

Though the palace decorations were eye-catching, everyone focused on Escher's mind-blowing works of art. He could portray his themes of eternity and infinity through lithograph and woodcut mediums. I liked how he played with the concepts of cycles and metamorphosis through his tessellations. There were even rooms that allowed visitors to create their own optical illusions. Astounded by the mathematical constructs that transcended the bounds of reality, we all had a remarkable time getting warped inside the world of Escher.

Staring death in the face.

Survival Guide Tips: Art & Architecture (Learned Facts & Personal Observations)
26. During the 17th century, the Dutch Golden Age was a period where Dutch trade, science, and art were the most acclaimed in the world. A massive output of paintings led to a dramatic decline of prices at the time.
27. At the start of the twentieth century, the latest art movements entered the country, including cubism, futurism, and expressionism.
28. The Dutch seem to have a strong grasp of color theory. This is evident in their homes, parks, and capital projects where color is strategically implemented.
29. Many skyscrapers and modern buildings in the Netherlands are designed with sleek curvature, contributing to a unique skyline.
30. Apparently, Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas is well-known among librarians. He was a prominent leader in his field and even designed the Seattle Public Library.