ESCHER, MAUK (MAURITS CORNELIS)

(1898–1972)

   Artist who became known for his (black-and-white) woodcuts and litho graphs, often with deceptive and impossible constructions. His work has a mathematical and technical character. At the Haarlem School of Architecture and Decorative Art, he followed the lessons of Samuel Jesserun de Mesquita (1868–1944). Before World War II, Escher worked in Rome for many years until the Fascist regime of Benito Mussolini became unacceptable to him; afterward, he relo cated to Switzerland and Belgium. In 1941 he moved to Baarn, Northern Holland. He died in the Rosa Spier House in Laren, North ern Holland, a retirement home for artists.