102,819
edits
Changes
no edit summary
==Wikipedia==
==Wikipedia==
{{Artwork
| image_file=Ascending_and_Descending.jpg
| title=Ascending and Descending
| artist=M. C. Escher
| year=[[1960]]
| type=[[Lithography|lithograph]]
| height=35.5
| width=28.5}}
'''''Ascending and Descending''''' is a [[Lithography|lithograph]] print by the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] artist [[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.
''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]].
==References in popular culture==
* In the game [[Gauntlet: Dark Legacy]], the final level of the Dream Realm, known as the "Maze of Illusion", has an impossible staircase near the beginning, similar to this lithograph.
* In the French comic ''Game Over'' (spin off of ''[[Kid Paddle]]''), the hero follows a staircase which appears similar to the staircase in this lithograph.
* In a [[Xiaolin Showdown]], Omi and Dashi run up the everlasting staircase.
* In the movie, [[The Avengers (film)|The Avengers]], there is an impossible staircase.
* In the [[Nintendo 64]] game [[Super Mario 64]], an impossible staircase is featured towards the final stage.
* [http://www.voidgamers.com/channel/HirstArts/HADD7/b.356.r.386.html Ascending and Descending] A wonderful 3D forced perspective model was build as part of a kit building contest
==Sources==
*Locher, J.L. (2000). ''The Magic of M. C. Escher''. [[Harry N. Abrams, Inc.]] ISBN 0-8109-6720-0.
[[Category: General Reference]]
[[Category: General Reference]]