Christie's

Auction 24220
M.C. Escher: The Art of Infinity Featuring Prints and Drawings Sold to Benefit the Robert Owen Lehman Foundation
8 July 2025 - 22 July 2025, New York
Auction overview

This July, Christie’s presents M.C. Escher: The Art of Infinity, the most significant offering of works on paper by the artist to come to market in decades. Included in the sale are iconic prints such as Bond of Union, Day and Night and Other World in addition to many rare works on paper that have seldom been to public auction. The unprecedented selection of drawings by the artist includes early depictions of the Italian landscape, preparatory studies for many of his well-known prints and a self-portrait of the artist, among many others.

M.C. Escher: The Art of Infinity features a selection of prints and drawings from the Robert Owen Lehman Foundation, sold to benefit the Foundation’s mission to promote the appreciation of classical music.

Gallery tour of M.C. Escher: The Art of Infinity led by expert Michael S. Sachs on July 18th at 10:00 AM, open to the public. Tour will begin at the front counter.
Auction information
- Auction
  - Online
    
    8 Jul, 10am (Lots 1 - 65)
- VIEWING
  - Online
    20 Jul, 1pm - 5pm
Contact the department
- Head of Department
  
  Lindsay Griffith
  lgriffith@christies.com
  Tel: + 1 212 636 2290
- International Department Head
  
  Richard Lloyd
  rlloyd@christies.com
  Tel: +1 212 636 2290
- Cataloguer
  
  Lou Clinton-Celini
  lclinton-celini@christies.com
  Tel: +1 212 636 2447

65 Lots for Sale 24220
	Lot 1 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Self-Portrait pencil on paper Image: 10 ¾ x 6 ¼ in. (272 x 160 mm.) Sheet: 15 x 12 ¼ in. (380 x 315 mm.)	estimate $25,000 - $35,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 2 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Barbarano pen and India Ink and pencil on paper 26 x 19 1/8 in. (660 x 485 mm.)	estimate $10,000 - $15,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 3 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Bonifacio pencil on paper 26 1/8 x 20 ¼ in. (664 x 513 mm.)	estimate $15,000 - $25,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 4 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Bonifacio, Corsica Image: 28 x 16 3/8 in. (711 x 416 mm.) Sheet: 31 x 20 in. (787 x 508 mm.)	estimate $10,000 - $15,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 5 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Freighter pencil on paper Image: 19 ¾ x 14 ½ in. (500 x 370 mm.) Sheet: 226/8 x 18 ¼ in. (575 x 462 mm.)	estimate $15,000 - $25,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 6 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Senglea, Malta pencil on paper squared for transfer 9 ½ x 12 5/8 in. (242 x 322 mm.)	estimate $15,000 - $25,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 7 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Barbarano, Cimino Image: 7 x 9 3/8 in. (176 x 238 mm.) Sheet: 9 ¾ x 12 ½ in. (247 x 318 mm.)	estimate $5,000 - $7,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 8 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Barrea (recto); Viscoral Steckborn (verso) pencil on paper (recto and verso) 26 ¼ x 19 1/8 in. (665 x 485 mm.)	estimate $15,000 - $25,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 9 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Cerro al Volturno, Abruzzi pencil on paper 26 1/8 x 19 in. (663 x 481 mm.)	estimate $15,000 - $25,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 10 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Alfedena pencil on paper 26 1/8 x 19 3/8 in. (662 x 493 mm.)	estimate $15,000 - $25,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 11 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Scanno pencil on paper 26 x 19 3/8 in. (661 x 493 mm.)	estimate $25,000 - $35,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 12 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Street in Scanno, Abruzzi Image: 24 ¾ x 17 1/8 in. (629 x 435 mm.) Sheet: 28 ¼ x 19 5/8 in. (718 x 498 mm.)	estimate $8,000 - $12,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 13 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Castrovalva pencil on paper 25 ½ x 19 ¾ in. (650 x 502 mm.)	estimate $40,000 - $60,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 14 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Castrovalva, (Abruzzi) Image: 21 x 16 5/8 in. (533 x 422 mm.) Sheet: 23 5/8 x 19 ¼ in. (600 x 489 mm.)	estimate $12,000 - $18,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 15 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) The Bridge (recto); Mosques (verso) pencil on paper (recto and verso) Image: 21 ¼ x 14 7/8 in. (540 x 380 mm.) Sheet: 25 ¼ x 19 ¾ in. (647 x 499 mm.)	estimate $30,000 - $50,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 16 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) The Bridge Image: 21 1/8 x 14 7/8 in. (537 x 378 mm.) Sheet: 24 5/8 x 18 ¼ in. (625 x 464 mm.)	estimate $20,000 - $30,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 17 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Pentedattilo, Calabria pen and India ink, charcoal and pencil on vellum 19 ½ x 25 ½ in. (496 x 648 mm.)	estimate $30,000 - $50,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 18 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Tropea, Calabria Image: 12 3/8 x 9 ¼ in. (314 x 235 mm.) Sheet: 15 7/8 x 12 5/8 in. (403 x 321 mm.)	estimate $12,000 - $18,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 19 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Farmhouse, Ravello Image: 9 ¼ x 12 ¼ in. (233 x 311 mm.) Sheet: 12 ½ x 16 ½ in. (320 x 420 mm.)	estimate $10,000 - $15,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 20 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) (Old Lava From) Mount Etna near Bronte, Sicily Image: 8 ½ x 12 1/8 in. (217 x 307 mm.) Sheet: 11 ¾ x 14 ¾ in. (300 x 375 mm.)	estimate $12,000 - $18,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 21 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Caltavuturo in the Madonie Mountains (C. in the Madonie), Sicily Image: 9 x 12 1/8 in. (229 x 308 mm.) Sheet: 12 ½ x 16 1/8 in. (318 x 410 mm.)	estimate $10,000 - $15,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 22 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Scláfani, Sicily Image: 9 ½ x 12 5/8 in. (241 x 321 mm.) Sheet: 12 1/8 x 16 1/8 in. (308 x 410 mm.)	estimate $10,000 - $15,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 23 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Lava Flow of 1928 from Mount Etna, Sicily Image: 8 3/8 x 12 3/8 in. (212 x 314 mm.) Sheet: 12 ½ x 16 5/8 in. (318 x 422 mm.)	estimate $12,000 - $18,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 24 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Corsica, Calanche (Calanche of Piana, Corsica) Image: 12 1/8 x 8 1/8 in. (308 x 206 mm.) Sheet: 17 x 11 3/8 in. (432 x 289 mm.)	estimate $15,000 - $20,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 25 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Positano pencil on gray paper 25 7/8 x 19 in. (656 x 480 mm.)	estimate $15,000 - $25,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 26 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Still Life pencil on paper Image: 11 ¾ x 13 1/8 in. (287 x 323 mm.) Sheet: 19 ¾ x 23 ½ in. (502 x 598 mm.)	estimate $30,000 - $50,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 27 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Still Life with Mirror Image: 15 ½ x 11 3/8 in. (394 x 289 mm.) Sheet: 24 ¾ x 19 1/8 in. (629 x 486 mm.)	estimate $8,000 - $12,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 28 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Grasshopper Image: 7 1/8 x 9 ½ in. (182 x 243 mm.) Sheet: 8 ½ x 10 ¾ in. (218 x 272 mm.)	estimate $3,000 - $5,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 29 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Between St Peter’s and the Sistine Chapel Image: 12 ¼ x 8 ¾ in. (311 x 222 mm.) Sheet: 16 3/8 x 12 3/8 in. (416 x 314 mm.)	estimate $5,000 - $7,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 30 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Birds pencil on graph paper, squared for transfer (irregular) 15 5/8 x 18 ¼ in. (397 x 462 mm.)	estimate $10,000 - $15,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 31 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Day and Night Image: 15 3/8 x 26 ¾ in. (390 x 679 mm.) Sheet: 18 ¾ x 30 5/8 in. (475 x 778 mm.)	estimate $25,000 - $35,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 32 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Ant Mobius Strip green ballpoint pen and pencil on paper 20 ½ x 11 7/8 in. (52 x 301 mm.)	estimate $20,000 - $30,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 33 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Sketch for Ant pencil on paper squared for transfer 7 ½ x 10 7/8 in. (190 x 277 mm.)	estimate $15,000 - $25,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 34 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Ant pencil on graph paper 8 5/8 x 11 3/8 in. (212 x 288 mm.)	estimate $20,000 - $30,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 35 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Ant Mobius Strip pencil on tracing paper Image: 18 3/8 x 9 1/8 x in. (466 x 232 mm.) Sheet: 19 3/8 x 14 ¾ in. (490 x 375 mm.)	estimate $25,000 - $35,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 36 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Reptiles pencil on paper 13 x 18 in. (330 x 457 mm.)	estimate $100,000 - $150,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 37 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Fish and Birds pencil on paper Image: 11 ¼ x 15 5/8 in. (285 x 398 mm.) Sheet: 15 3/8 x 19 in. (415 x 485 mm.)	estimate $20,000 - $30,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 38 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Fish (in Waves) watercolor, pen and India ink and pencil on tracing paper Image: 4 ¼ x 4 ¼ in. (108 x 108 mm.) Sheet: 6 ¼ x 6 in. (160 x 150 mm.)	estimate $10,000 - $15,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 39 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Mummified Frog pencil on paper squared for transfer Image: 5 x 5 ¼ in. (128 x 133 mm.) Sheet: 7 ¾ x 9 ¼ in. (225 x 234 mm.)	estimate $20,000 - $30,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 40 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Balcony Image: 11 5/8 x 9 ¼ in. (295 x 234 mm.) Sheet: 16 3/8 x 12 5/8 in. (416 x 320 mm.)	estimate $30,000 - $50,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 41 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Three Spheres II Image: 10 ¼ x 18 ½ in. (260 x 463 mm.) Sheet: 15 x 22 5/8 in. (381 x 575 mm.)	estimate $40,000 - $60,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 42 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Horseman Image: 9 3/8 x 17 5/8 in. (238 x 448 mm.) Sheet: 12 x 20 ¼ in. (305 x 514 mm.)	estimate $10,000 - $15,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 43 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Sketches for Mathematical (recto and verso) pencil on paper (recto and verso) 12 ½ x 9 ¾ in. (320 x 245 mm.)	estimate $5,000 - $7,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 44 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Other World pencil on paper Image: 12 ½ x 10 ¼ in. (317 x 260 mm.) Sheet: (irregular) 15 ½ x 13 3/8 in. (395 x 337 mm.)	estimate $25,000 - $35,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 45 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Other World Image: 12 5/8 x 10 3/8 in. (321 x 264 mm.) Sheet: 15 ¼ x 12 7/8 in. (387 x 327 mm.)	estimate $25,000 - $35,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 46 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) High and Low pencil on paper Image: 8 ½ x 6 ¼ in. (215 x 16 mm.) Sheet: 12 ¾ x 9 ½ in. (322 x 242 mm.)	estimate $25,000 - $35,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 47 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) High and Low I pencil on paper 10 7/8 x 7 7/8 in. (272 x 195 mm.)	estimate $25,000 - $35,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 48 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Rippled Surface Image: 10 ¼ x 12 5/8 in. (260 x 321 mm.) Sheet: 13 1/8 x 15 7/8 in. (333 x 403 mm.)	estimate $15,000 - $20,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 49 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) House of Stairs pencil on paper 10 ¾ x 15 in. (274 x 380 mm.)	estimate $20,000 - $30,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 50 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Puddle Image: 9 ½ x 12 ¾ in. (240 x 323 mm.) Sheet: 11 3/8 x 14 3/8 in. (288 x 365 mm.)	estimate $20,000 - $30,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 51 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Concentric Rinds (Concentric Space Filling/Regular Sphere Division) Image: 9 ½ x 9 ½ in. (241 x 241 mm.) Sheet: 11 5/8 x 11 ¼ in. ( x 287 mm.)	estimate $12,000 - $18,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 52 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Tetrahedral Planetoid Image: 16 7/8 x 16 7/8 in. (430 x 430 mm.) Sheet: 20 x 19 7/8 in. (508 x 505 mm.)	estimate $30,000 - $50,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 53 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Relativity pencil on paper Image: 11 ¼ x 11 3/8 in. (287 x 290 mm.) Sheet: 14 7/8 x 12 1/8 in. (378 x 315 mm.)	estimate $50,000 - $70,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 54 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Convex and Concave Image: 11 1/8 x 13 1/8 in. (283 x 333 mm.) Sheet: 16 5/8 x 18 ¾ in. (422 x 476 mm.)	estimate $20,000 - $30,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 55 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Rind Image: 13 5/8 x 9 ¼ in. (346 x 235 mm.) Sheet: 17 1/8 x 12 3/8 in. (435 x 314 mm.)	estimate $25,000 - $35,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 56 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Depth Image: 12 5/8 x 9 1/8 in. (320 x 231 mm.) Sheet: 16 ½ x 11 ½ in. (419 x 292 mm.)	estimate $10,000 - $15,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 57 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Bond of Union Image: 10 x 13 3/8 in. (253 x 339 mm.) Sheet: 15 ½ x 18 ¾ in. (394 x 476 mm.)	estimate $20,000 - $30,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 58 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Print Gallery Image: 12 5/8 x 12 ½ in. (321 x 318 mm.) Sheet: 16 3/8 x 16 in. (416 x 406 mm.)	estimate $20,000 - $30,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 59 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Belvedere pencil on paper Image: 18 x 15 in. (455 x 380 mm.) Sheet: 21 ¼ x 21 ¾ in. (539 x 554 mm.)	estimate $35,000 - $45,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 60 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Belvedere Image: 18 ¼ x 11 5/8 in. (464 x 295 mm.) Sheet: 23 1/8 x 16 ¼ in. (587 x 413 mm.)	estimate $30,000 - $50,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 61 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Flatworms Image: 13 ¼ x 16 ¼ in. (337 x 413 mm.) Sheet: 18 1/8 x 20 7/8 in. (460 x 530 mm.)	estimate $8,000 - $12,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 62 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Waterfall Image: 15 x 11 ¾ in. (381 x 298 mm.) Sheet: 19 ½ x 16 ½ in. (495 x 419 mm.)	estimate $30,000 - $50,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 63 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Ascending and Descending pencil on paper 15 x 12 ¾ in. (380 x 327 mm.)	estimate $35,000 - $45,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 64 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Ascending and Descending Image: 14 x 11 ¼ in. (356 x 286 mm.) Sheet: 18 7/8 x 15 7/8 in. (479 x 403 mm.)	estimate $20,000 - $30,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________
	Lot 65 MAURITS CORNELIS ESCHER (1898-1972) Metamorphosis III: one print Image: 7 5/8 x 22 ½ in. (193 x 571 mm.) Sheet: 10 5/8 x 27 3/8 in. (272 x 687 mm.)	estimate $25,000 - $35,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________

The currency conversion rates on Christies.com are updated daily. Any conversion of a pre-sale estimate or price realized into a currency different from that of the saleroom site is solely for your convenience. Errors may occur in such conversion and currencies fluctuate. We do not accept liability for such errors or fluctuations or for any reliance you or others may have on the converted currency amounts. All purchase must be made in the currency of the country where the saleroom is located.

M.C. Escher: The Art of Infinity Featuring Prints and Drawings Sold to Benefit the Robert Owen Lehman Foundation

Auction overview

Auction information

Contact the department