Tessellations

Tessellation

A plane tessellation is a pattern made up of one or more shapes, completely covering a surface without any gaps or overlaps.

Symmetry

If you can cut a picture in half, and there is the same image on each side.

Rhythm

The repetition of visual movement-colors, shapes, lines, etc.

M.C. Escher

A famous artist born in Holland who is widely known for his tessellations and impossible realities. Though he was not a mathematician, his work is very mathematical.

Impossible Reality

A work at first glance appears to be very realistic, but after further investigation would really be impossible in reality.

Unity

Combining elements in a work of art to create harmony, or a state of "oneness"

Movement

The suggestion of motion in a work of art

Hexagon

A geometric shape that has six sides

Mosaic

A synonym for tessellation. A mosaic is a picture that is usually made up of small tiles.

Relativity (Impossible Reality by Escher)

Sky and Water (Tessellation by Escher)

M.C. Escher Self Portrait