Posted by tpc at January 27th, 2006

I was quite happy to pick up a copy of Escher prints for $7 at borders the other day. I guess most people are suitably impressed by the work of Escher. For me, it’s especially so because of the four circle limits, their geometric significance and relationship to modular forms. Go to the official page -> picture gallery -> 1955-1972.

Here’s an interesting anecdote from Douglas Hofstadter (Yes, Mr Godel, Escher, Bach. ) in the article “Mystery, Classicism, Elegance: An Endless Chase After Magic“, from the book MC Escher’s Legacy. It seems that even Mick Jagger was interested in Escher’s work and wrote him to get permission to put a particular print on his upcoming album. He began “Dear Maurits …”

Of course, Escher was not interested and in his reply (to Jagger’s assistant) he ended with

By the way, please tell Mr Jagger I am not Maurits to him, but
very sincerely,
M.C. Escher