M. C. Escher, Smaller and Smaller

The most detailed of all of M. C. Escher's wood block prints is from 1956, Smaller and Smaller. In his own words:

‘The area of each of the reptile-shaped elements of this pattern is regularly and continuously halved towards the centre, where theoretically both infinite smallness in size and infinite greatness in number are reached. However, in practice, the wood-engraver soon reaches the end of his tether. He is dependent on four factors: the quality of his woodblock, the sharpness of his tool, the steadiness of his hand and his optical ability (good eyesight, plenty of light and a powerful magnifying lens). In this particular case, the halving of the figures is continued ad absurdum. The smallest animal still possessing a head, a tail and four legs is about two millimetres long.’