M. C. Escher Value: Top Prices Paid At Auction

Escher's Reptiles (1943) is a lithograph that showcases his mastery of detail and perspective. The artwork depicts an interior scene where reptilian creatures emerge from a tessellated design on paper, embarking on a circular journey across various objects, including a book, triangular plank, and pentagonal prism. One reptile exhales smoke, adding to the lifelike quality. The composition's geometric balance, combined with Escher's meticulous attention to detail, elevates the work's allure. This piece, the 12th of 30 editions, set Escher's auction record at £579,965 at Sotheby’s in April 2022.

Coast of Amalfi (Composition) (1934) exemplifies Escher's fascination with the Amalfi coastline, as well as his exploration of architectural and geometric properties. This piece uniquely combines geometry with landscape, merging shapes and forms into a cohesive whole that reflects Escher's distinctive visual language and artistic mastery. The recent sale of this work underscores the sustained demand for Escher prints by selling for £240,204 at Sotheby's in November 2023.

Escher's Drawing Hands (1948) is a lithographic marvel that portrays two hands emerging from the paper, each sketching the other in a mind-bending loop of creation. Rendered with photorealistic precision, the hands appear as if they are about to come to life, complete with intricate details like veins and knuckle creases. The artwork masterfully combines Escher’s signature mathematical precision with surrealistic illusion. Drawing Hands achieved a notable auction result of £231,986 at Sotheby’s in April 2022, solidifying its place as one of Escher's highest-selling works.

Escher's Ant (1943) exemplifies his meticulous attention to detail, featuring a close-up of an ant set against a textured backdrop. Every aspect of the insect, from its segmented body and legs to its delicate antennae and mandibles, is intricately shaded and defined. Escher's skilful rendering includes a photorealistic shadow cast by the ant, showcasing his fascination with the mathematical properties and intricacies of natural forms. This artwork achieved an impressive auction result of £206,527 at Sotheby’s in October 2022, highlighting its visual appeal and craftsmanship.

Escher's Metamorphosis series, beginning in 1937, showcases his mastery of visual transformation. Metamorphosis II (1939-40) is a 158-inch woodcut inspired by the seamless architectural transitions of Atrani, Italy, evolving into intricate tessellations of geometric shapes, animals, and a chessboard. This rare study, executed in red and black, stands out from its later green and black versions. Personally crafted by Escher, it exemplifies his geometric precision. Metamorphosis II sold for £201,600 at Sotheby's in 2021, highlighting its enduring appeal and Escher’s unparalleled artistic prowess.

Circle Limit III (1959) showcases Escher's mastery of visual analysis and printmaking, executed as a woodcut on Japanese paper known for its ink absorption. This piece, part of Escher's exploration of tessellations, uses a flying fish motif that expands from the centre to create a hyperbolic effect. The interlocking right triangles add a three-dimensional quality, highlighting Escher's expertise with angles. As a trial proof (TP), it represents a pivotal step in his artistic journey. In October 2022, Circle Limit III sold for £173,917 at Sotheby’s, reflecting its significance in visual artistry.

Executed before Escher's venture into animal-themed compositions, Cubic Space Division (1952) is a lithographic work showcasing an intricate lattice of parallel beams intersecting at right angles, meticulously dividing the space into uniform segments. This piece predates the Op art aesthetics later popularised by artists like Victor Vasarely and Bridget Riley. Both artists utilised geometric repetition and tessellation to create dynamic, eye-catching pieces. Cubic Space Division fetched £164,323 at Sotheby's online sale in April 2022.

Smaller and Smaller (1956) is a woodcut engraving executed in black and orange tones. The artwork exemplifies Escher's expertise in visual analysis, with the smallest figure, a tiny lizard, measuring just 2 millimetres. The composition features progressively larger, sharper figures, culminating in a tessellated, rose-like design. Escher's exploration of geometric angles, inspired by his collaboration with scholar H.S.M. Coxeter, is evident in this piece, which sold for £152,177 at Sotheby's in October 2022.

This unique artwork from Escher's Metamorphosis II series stands out as a bespoke creation, rendered in a rare blue hue instead of the more common red and green prints. Escher's meticulous craftsmanship is evident in the intricate multicolour printing process, resulting in a composition that transitions from two-dimensional checkerboard patterns to various forms like reptiles, honeycombs, and birds, ultimately depicting the Italian town of Atrani. This exceptional piece, a testament to Escher's skill, achieved £139,250 at Sotheby's in October 2008.

In the Escher archive at the Kunstmuseum The Hague, a storybook from 1898 serves as the inspiration for Escher's woodcut Castle in the Air (1928). This piece showcases his mastery of visual manipulation, depicting a castle floating above what seems to be water, with a woman below appearing to lift it. The artwork has a dreamlike quality evoking surrealist aesthetics, though Escher was not formally part of the Surrealist movement. This work sold for £125,659 at Sotheby's in April 2022 and sits among Escher's top-selling works.