Totally Tessellated: To Main Page
M. C. Escher and His Unique Approach to TessellationsEssential Information Regarding TessellationsA Simple Type of TessellationBeyond the Basics of Tessellations
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Escher's Tessellations (7/12)
 

Jump to page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Hands-On

 

(click for a larger, unmodified image)

The diamond shape shown above connects the topmost points of four adjacent white fish. Convince yourself that this diamond shape can generate the rest of the tessellation by simple translations. In other words, we can duplicate the design contained within the orange boundaries and cover the tessellation exactly as it is shown. Therefore, to design this tessellation, Escher had only to design the pattern inside of this one shape. As in a previous example, it is important to make sure points on opposite sides match up. For example, the top of the white fish located in the center of the tessellation is located at the top corner of the diamond shape; we can find the top of another white fish located at the opposite corner of the diamond shape.

Print out an example on the hands-on activities page and use the techniques described above to create your own tessellation based on this example of Escher's artwork. Remember to pick the activity referencing page 7/12.

 

All M. C. Escher works (c) Cordon Art B.V.-Baarn-the Netherlands. Modifications for demonstration purposes only. Used with permission.

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