38 × 28.5 cm (15 × 11.2 in)
Wikimedia Commons
Ascending and Descending is a lithograph created by the Dutch artist M. C. Escher (1898–1972) in 1960, generally considered to be one of his most “iconic” works.[1] The central motif of the picture is a never-ending stairway inspired by the Penrose staircase
Impossible figure based on a staircase in the form of a continuous loop that seems to rise endlessly.. The stairway sits at the top of a central courtyard.[2]
The building seems to be inhabited by monks of some unknown sect. They are walking in two endless processions on the stairway, one group perpetually ascending, the other perpetually descending, yet each ends up at the same level at which they started.[3] Perhaps it is their rutual duty to climb these stairs for a few hours each day, and when they tire of the climb they are allowed to turn around and go down the stairs instead of up.[2]
Ascending and Descending is one of the three of his works that Escher characterised as impossible buildings. The two others are Belvedere
Lithograph by the Dutch artist M. C. Escher, created in 1958. and Waterfall
Lithograph by M. C. Escher, depicting an impossible perpetual motion machine..[2]
