MC Escher Museum in The Hague, Netherlands: A World of Optical Illusion

In the heart of The Hague, near the main square, you can find an extraordinary museum dedicated to the life and works of Holland’s most famous graphic artist: Maurits Cornelis Escher, better known as M.C. Escher.

Even if you have never heard of this artist, you don’t want to miss this opportunity when visiting The Hague.

M.C. Escher was a Dutch artist who lived from 1898 to 1972. He is mostly admired for his lithographs which feature optical illusions, imaginary worlds, eternal shapes, and figures that defy the impossible.

At first, you might be a little surprised as to why a museum devoted to a master who worked on impossible surreal forms could be located in what used to be an extravagant Royal Palace.

Once you enter the collection, you will discover why the Lange Voorhout Palace creates the perfect balance with the works of M.C. Escher.

After all, a modern structure could only add unwanted distractions, and a “classic” space offers a better arrangement to appreciate his art.

Briefly, the Lange Voorhout Palace’s historical importance shouldn’t go unnoticed. This palace was built in 1760 and used to be the home of Queen Emma, the great-grandmother of the actual Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands.

On the first floor of the Escher collection you will find an artistic synopsis of M.C. Escher’s early works on wood with beautifully detailed landscapes of Italy, where he resided from 1922 to 1935.

M.C. Escher loved Italy, but he had to leave due to the political situation leading up to WWII. He then moved to Switzerland but never liked it; mainly because of the weather.

So he then traveled to Granada, Spain and visited the Alhambra on several occasions. This place became influential for M.C. Escher because it was here where he developed the use of figures and sequences, which play an important part of his metamorphic creations.

Traveling again, he moved to Baarn, Holland in 1941 and at that point he completely abandoned the use of landscapes in his art. Instead, he relied solely on his creativity. And it is here where he started his creations of impossible figures and the world of optical illusions.

On the second floor of the museum, you can find his most creative lithographs such as Waterfall, Day and Night, and Drawing Hands among many others.

These were the works that established him as a master and brought him worldwide fame.

As you tour the museum take a look at the sparkling chandeliers by Dutch sculptor Hans Van Bentem, who in 2003 designed 15 original chandeliers to complement the Escher collection.

But the Escher Museum not only offers you the opportunity to admire his art, you can be part of the art! The third floor is a world of multimedia and optical illusion where you can enjoy an authentic Escher experience.

* MC Escher Museum photo by M. Minderhoud