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==Description==

==Description==

'''''Ascending and Descending''''' is a [[Lithography|lithograph]] print by the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] artist [[M. C. Escher]] which was first printed in March [[1960]].

'''''Ascending and Descending''''' is a [[Prints|lithograph]] print by the Dutch artist [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M. C. Escher M.C. Escher] which was first printed in March 1960.

The original print measures 14" x 11 1/4”. The lithograph depicts a large building roofed by a never-ending [[staircase]]. Two lines of identically dressed men appear on the staircase, one line ascending whilst the other descends. Two figures sit apart from the people on the endless staircase: one in a secluded courtyard, the other on a lower set of stairs. While most two-dimensional artists use relative proportions to create an illusion of depth, Escher here and elsewhere uses conflicting proportions to create the visual paradox.

The [[original]] [[print]] measures 14" x 11 1/4”. The lithograph depicts a large building roofed by a never-ending staircase. Two lines of identically dressed men appear on the staircase, one line ascending whilst the other descends. Two figures sit apart from the people on the [[eternal|endless]] staircase: one in a secluded courtyard, the other on a lower set of stairs. While most two-[[dimensional]] artists use [[relative]] proportions to [[create]] an [[illusion]] of depth, Escher here and elsewhere uses conflicting proportions to create the visual [[paradox]].

''Ascending and Descending'' was influenced by, and is an artistic implementation of, the [[Penrose stairs]], an [[impossible object]]; [[Lionel Penrose]] had first published his concept in the February, [[1958]] issue of the ''[[British Journal of Psychology]]''. Escher developed the theme further in his print ''[[Waterfall (M. C. Escher)|Waterfall]]'', which appeared in [[1961]].

''Ascending and Descending'' was [[influence]]d by, and is an artistic implementation of, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Penrose Penrose stairs], an impossible object; Lionel Penrose had first published his concept in the February, 1958 issue of the ''British Journal of Psychology''. Escher developed the theme further in his [[print]] ''Waterfall'', which appeared in 1961.

==References in popular culture==

==References in popular culture==