The Waterfall (Escher)

"The Waterfall" by M.C. Escher is a clever, impossible architectural illustration that depicts a continuous loop where water appears to cascade down a waterfall, flow along a river, and then mysteriously ascend back to the starting point. This optical illusion is created through precise perspective and shading, making it seem feasible at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it defies physical laws. The piece plays with reality and perspective to challenge our understanding of structure and flow, illustrating how perception can be manipulated, and highlighting Escher’s fascination with impossible objects and spatial paradoxes.