Imagination for Sale

For nearly a century, M.C. Escher has captivated viewers with his impossible architectures, mirrored worlds and mathematical dreamscapes; works that challenge perception and expand the imagination.

This July, collectors have a rare opportunity to step inside that singular vision.

More than sixty of Escher’s most compelling works on paper, including early Italian landscapes, rarely seen preparatory drawings and an intimate self-portrait, will be offered in what promises to be the most important sale of his graphic work in decades.

Presented by Christie’s as M.C. Escher: The Art of Infinity, the online auction runs from 8 to 22 July.

This body of work is as intellectually profound as it is visually hypnotic. Escher’s lifelong exploration of symmetry, tessellation, reflection and infinity produced a visual language that continues to transcend conventional boundaries between disciplines.

Decades before such crossovers became fashionable, he was uniting art with science, mathematics and philosophy in ways that still resonate today.

Beloved by mathematicians, architects and digital artists alike, Escher stands apart as one of the few artists whose influence extends far beyond the traditional gallery space.

At the heart of the sale is a deeply personal selection from the collection of Robert Owen Lehman Jr., assembled over five decades.

His thoughtful curation highlights Escher’s most nuanced compositions; works that reflect both the artist’s genius and the collector’s discerning eye.

Now, with Escher’s place in the canon firmly established, Lehman is ready to see these works move into new hands. He describes the journey as “a labour of love,” and the sale as a continuation of the artist’s spirit.

Proceeds will benefit the Robert Owen Lehman Foundation in support of classical music, a cause close to both the collector and the artist.

Christie’s Lindsay Griffith, Head of the Prints and Multiples Department in New York, notes: “It’s a pleasure to offer this unprecedented collection of M.C. Escher. Escher was a skilled artist who seamlessly bridged the worlds of art, mathematics, and science in the mid-twentieth century.”

The collection will be on public view from 12 to 17 July at Christie’s New York, aligning with the house’s 10th Art and Tech Summit, held at Radio City Music Hall on 16 and 17 July.