/lit/ - Literature

>>13873698

This type of line is characteristic of "modern" line in woodcuts, an easier production along the lines of the "living" form that I just referred to. As an Escher example, compare a personal favorite from his early period: St. Francis (ministering to the birds). Note the moderate detail in lines (halo, foliage), the alternation of black/white positive/negative space (coloration of birds vs. solid/air), and the stigmata. Escher also did much cruder things during the 1920s and 30s for money, which are very similar in feel to this particular picture that you've posted.

To bring it back home to /lit/, all of this is documented in "M.C. Escher: His Life and Complete Graphic Work", the single best book on the artist, which contains both a lively biography as well as a catalogue. I've been wanting to re-read it lately but there's too much else to do (read), naturally.