• 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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