M.C. Escher's Ingenious Word-Puzzle Wrapping Paper for De Bijenkorf: An In-Depth Exhibition

This article details M.C. Escher's design for gift-wrapping paper commissioned by the Dutch department store De Bijenkorf in 1933. It explores Escher's innovative use of 'word-puzzles' and tessellation techniques to create a pattern that incorporated the store's name and logo. The content is based on research presented by Escher expert Doris Schattschneider at the Bridges mathematics conference.

This presentation delves into M.C. Escher's creative process behind his 1933 design for De Bijenkorf's gift-wrapping paper. The article highlights the research of Doris Schattschneider, a renowned Escher expert and mathematics professor, who presented her findings at the Bridges conference in Eindhoven. Escher's design was based on his hobby of 'word-puzzles,' where he intricately integrated the department store's name, 'De Bijenkorf' (The Beehive), and visual elements of a beehive into a repeating tessellation pattern. The text explains the technical aspects of the design, including how the woodblock was created and how it could tile a plane, referencing Escher's earlier work with symmetry and tessellations. It also provides context about De Bijenkorf as a prominent Dutch department store and discusses the historical significance of Escher's commercial design work, noting a later reproduction of the design in 1998. The article details Escher's artistic and personal life in 1933, including his commissioned woodcuts, travels, and efforts to secure new commissions. It traces the development of the De Bijenkorf design contract and Escher's satisfaction with its sale. The technical explanation of the tessellation focuses on the L-shaped block and its underlying grid, its adherence to the Conway Criterion (CC), and how half-turns and translations create the repeating pattern. The article analyzes the dimensions of the minimal rectangular region required to produce the allover design for manufacturing wrapping paper rolls, referencing figures and scholarly publications for further detail. It concludes by reflecting on the puzzle presented by the design's creation and the legacy of Escher's commercial art.