TESSELLATIONS
With a heavy dose of symmetry
Symmetry
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The terms symmetry has many meanings.
 In
The Last Supper, symmetry is about balance in that
the disciples are grouped in four groups of three, with
two groups on either side of the central figure of Christ.
A
human body has symmetry because a vertical line
drawn through the head and navel divides the body
into two (nearly) identical parts.
 Symmetry
can also refer to a repetition of patterns.
Three Types of Symmetries
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Reflection symmetry – An object remains unchanged
when reflected across a straight line.
Rotation symmetry – An object remains unchanged
when rotated through some angle about a point.
Translation symmetry – A pattern remains the same
when shifted in a straight line (of any direction).
Symmetry in Art

Gustave Dore’s engraving The Vision of the
Empyrean from 1870.
 Shows an amazing illustration of rotational symmetry.

Victor Vasarely’s Supernovae started symmetric but
the slight deviations from symmetry make the work
even more powerful.
M.C. Escher
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If anyone has ever heard of tessellations, also
known as tilings, they have heard of the master
M.C. Escher.
Mauritis Cornelis Escher (1898-1972) was born in
The Netherlands and is one of the most famous
graphic artists of all time.
Made over 448 lithographs, woodcuts and wood
engravings, and over 2000 drawings and sketches.
He was left-handed.
Relativity, 19??
Belvedere, 1958
Encounter, 1944
Reptiles, 1943
Day and Night, 1938
Stars, 1948
Circle Limit IV,
1960
Drawing Hands, 1948
Eye, 1946
Hand with Reflecting Sphere
Tessellations
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A form of art called tilings (tessellations) involves
covering a flat area, such as a floor or wall, with
geometric shapes.
Tilings usually have regular or symmetric patterns.
Specifically, a tessellation is an arrangement of
polygons that interlock perfectly with no
overlapping.
Our tessellations will all be square based, with a bit
of flourish to make them “better” looking.