Exhibition at Milan’s MUDEC from Sept. 25, 2025-Feb. 8, 2026
Dutchman Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898 – 1972) is the star of an exhibition to be held at Milan’s Mudec from Sept. 25, 2025, organized in collaboration with KunstMuseum den Haag, which holds an important collection of works by this celebrated artist and graphic designer.
The exhibition is distinguished by its original slant, aimed at focusing on two hitherto little-explored themes: the link between Escher’s work and Islamic civilization, known from numerous trips to southern Italy and Spain, and the strong scientific and, in particular, mathematical interest that animates him. Both of these strands are reflected with great richness of cues and expressive solutions in his work, pictorial, graphic and design objects. The presence in the exhibition of several, splendid Islamic art objects, also from The Hague Kunst, allows for a timely and often revealing comparison.
The catalog, with advice from engineer Federico Giudiceandrea of the M.C. Escher Foundation, in addition to reproducing all the works in the exhibition, is enriched by four in-depth essays by Claudio Salsi on Escher’s graphic art and relationship with Italy, by Judith Kadee, curator of the Kunst in The Hague, on the central role of the Alhambra as a source of inspiration, by Paolo Branca on the relationship with Islam, and by Claudio Bartocci on scientific and mathematical aspects. Also added is an important text by M.C. Escher himself on the regular division of the plane, which provides insight into the sound mathematical-scientific basis underlying his fascinating art.
COORDINATION
Federico Giudiceandrea, an engineer and collector, has curated several exhibitions on Escher, of which he is an authoritative specialist.
CURATORS
Claudio Salsi, art historian, former director of the Sector Superintendence Castle, Archaeological Museums and Historical Museums of the Municipality of Milan, as well as lecturer at the Catholic University.
Paolo Branca, authoritative Islamist and Arabist, lecturer of Arabic Language and Literature at several universities and author of numerous publications on the relations between Islam and the West.
Claudio Bartocci, lecturer of Mathematical Physics at the University of Genoa.
