Tessellations

Ms. Blaylock

What are Tessellations?

The word 'tessera'
in Latin means a
small stone cube.
They were used to make
up 'tessellata' - the mosaic
pictures forming floors in
Roman buildings
Tessellations refers to
pictures or tiles, mostly in
the form of animals and
other life forms. It covers
the surface of a
composition iwithout
overlapping or leaving

A Roman floor
mosaic

Tessellations
involve using a
shape or group
of shapes, which
are arranged on
a composition to
create pattern
and repetition.
Transformations
by
M C Escher

Patterns are
everywhere, but
not all patterns
are tessellations.

Henri Matisse uses a lot of pattern

Nigerian Adire cloth

using a blue dye and
starch paste.

M. C. Escher

Self-Portrait

M. C. Escher
Escher was born in
Leeuwarden in Holland
on June 17th, 1898.
Referred to by his initials
which stand for Maurits,
Cornelis.
Youngest of 4 brothers.
The family moved to
Arnhem where he grew
up and went to high
school.
'Self Portrait in Chair' - 1920

M. C. Escher: Tessellation
Master
Escher produced '8
Heads' in 1922 - a hint
of things to come.
His inspiration
Escher took a boat trip
to Spain and went to the
Alhambra, an
extravagant palace full
of pattern.
There, he copied many
of the tiling patterns.

'8 Heads' - 1922

Alhambra Castle

Alhambra consists of palaces

One of the most well
known example of Muslim built by several rulers, each ha
his own castle.
architecture.

The Alhambra Palace is

a
famous example of
Moorish architecture.

Islamic art does

not usually use
representations of
people, but uses
geometric
patterns.

The idea behind several of the buildings of

Alhambra was to create a Paradise on earth.

Escher copied
many of the
designs he saw a
Alhambra,
adding his own
flair

M. C. Escher 4 Motifs
1950

Design for Wood Intarsia Panel for

Leiden Town Hall, 1940

Tessellation
transitions
by M. C.
Escher

Realism & Tessellations

Combined
Sometimes,
Escher would
combine
realism and
tessellations.
Reptiles is an
example of
this
combination.
'Reptiles' - 1943

Metamorphosis I, 1937
by M. C. Escher

Realism & Tessellation Combined

Cycle, 1938
by M. C. Escher

Realism &
Tessellation
Combined

Day and Night, 1938

by M. C. Escher

Realism & Tessellation Combined

Eschers Last Tessellation

His last tessellation
was a solution to a
puzzle sent to him
by Roger Penrose,
the mathematician.
Escher solved it
and, true to form,
changed the
angular wood
blocks into rounded
'ghosts'.

Penrose 'Ghosts' - 1971

How do you create a successful

tessellation?
Begin with a simple geometric
shape - the square

Change the shape of one

side

Copy this line on the

opposite side

Rotate the line and repeat it on the

remaining edges

Erase the original shape

Add lines to the inside of the shapes

to turn them into pictures.

Add color to enhance your

picture.

By repeating your shape you create a

tessellated picture

How do you create a more complex

tessellation?
Draw a line that separates the two
hidden shapes you have found.

Add a few lines that bring out your

hidden shapes.

Make four versions of each

shape, each version with more
detail

The most
detailed
shape can be
changed

Make four versions of each shape

with more detail

The most
detailed
shape can be
changed

Color all of one

type of shape
the same basic
color scheme

Line up the simplest shape with the

most complex along the bottom

Add the next row in the same

way

Completed Tessellation