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Robbi Rodemann
Dr. Edmonds
Art Analysis II
4/16/17

A Ceaseless Bond

Bond of Union is a lithograph constructed in 1956 by none other than M. C. Escher

(Escher & Taschen, 2001). This noteworthy artwork uses shading and sizing to give illusions of

space and depth. A great overlapping, twining object in the center amidst several floating spheres

displays the awe of mbius strips, a boundless, one-sided surface, that is ostentatiously displayed

by striking facial features. Bond of Union is an impactful piece that eternalizes the connections

among humankind through the display of infinite space and a limitless mbius strip.

To begin, the piece is void of color and is only illustrated in black and white hues. The

backdrop depicts a solid blackness that provides an aesthetic reminiscent of outer space. Spheres

of various sides and shadings are distributed seemingly irregularly around all areas. The spheres,

however, do have a certain unique pattern to them upon closer inspection. Larger spheres are

lighter in shading. As the spheres are drawn darker, they are also shrinking in size. Furthermore,

several of the spheres are actually drawn in certain linear groupings, and these groups are

particularly noticeable around the edges of the piece. Once a larger, brighter sphere is identified,

approximately two to four spheres can be seen receding as placed underneath or behind the

largest sphere in an exponentially shrinking and darkening manner. The smallest of the spheres

disappear into the background almost as a waning moon and are barely visible as they appear to

vanish into space. Several spheres are partially hidden behind sections from the mbius strip,

thereby giving the eye the implication that the sphere is floating within the space between the
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strip. These depictions of the spheres help the viewer identify the art piece as portraying three

dimensions.

The most clearly noticeable aspect of the artwork is the divided mbius strip of looping

material that illustrates an impression of two coils next to one another that are interlocked at both

the utmost upper and lower ends. Besides the polar ends of the coils, the strip intertwines in one

additional area just below the peak of the two looping sections. The strip may initially appear as

two separate coils, however, it consists of one infinitely intertwining piece. The coil on the left

moves in a counter-clockwise rotation while the coil on the right moves conversely in the

clockwise rotation. The curving strokes of the strip mimic the coloring patterns of the spheres

where wider, larger sections are lighter in shading while thinner, smaller sections appear to

darken, though the darkening occurs more so on the right side of the strip. Additionally, these

smaller, shaded sections are often intercepted by the larger, lighter sections of the strip. This

overlap also mimics the patterns seen in the spheres which give the impression of three-

dimensional space and allows the drawing to appear limitless. The strip, in addition to the overall

shading, has minuscule shading differences on either the top or bottom of each section of the

strip. On the left sided coil, these tiny shreds of shading persistently occur on the bottom of each

strip section; however, in contrast, the right sided coil displays these shadings on the top of every

portion with the exception of the utmost top strip section. This top strip section copies that of its

left sided complement by displaying bottom-sided minuscule shading. This disruption in pattern

may be due to the transition from clockwise to counter-clockwise rotation that occurs at this

upper stratum. This irregularity in pattern also presents the image as if the right-sided coil is
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tilted slightly more forwards in space than the left-sided coil. These sections of shading strips aid

in providing the impression that the overall strip itself is a three-dimensional object.

One of the most significant and unique details to Bond of Union are the faces that appear

to be constructed into the coils. On the other hand, the faces just as well appear as if they were

fully formed heads that were cleanly hollowed out then cut away into an endless ribbon-like

fashion. The material of the strip that produces these head-like features is unclear. Due to the

minuscule shaded shreds, it appears a more dense medium than a simple ribbon. Additionally, the

material is not implemented in perfect loops, but rather marginally bends in specified areas that

would be difficult to construct with any physical substance. Variation from perfect loops appears

to accommodate for the protruding facial structures such as the nose and ears as well as hair

growth and skull shape. The coil on the left features hair with a middle part that appears to drape

along the forehead as well as has thin and shapely eyebrows, a soft rounded nose, and a smooth

mouth-line. The coil on the right exhibits a short-chopped hairline, thicker and darker eyebrows,

a sharper nose ridge, and a clean-cut beard and mustache around the mouth. The contrast in the

characteristics exemplify the features of a female versus a male figure.

The female and male featured are clearly designed to show several connections between

the two. To start, since one coil twines counter-clockwise while one twines clockwise, the male

and female show a balance between them. Interestingly, both the male and female entities appear

to have nearly identical shaped and sized ears, eyes, and mouths. Both have a portion of their

ears cut away at approximately the same location. Additionally, both have their eyes and mouths

are completely intact on a section of the strip pointed towards one another. Another important

similarity between these three features is that they all appear to be placed at approximately an
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equal parallel plane from one another; in other words, nor the eyes, ears, or mouths are placed at

a higher or lower point than the corresponding coil. Due to the commonly known function of

these facial structures, the fairnesses among them seem to speak to a harmonious relationship

between the male and the female. Both sexes appear as if they are free to communicate with one

another as they view the corresponding coil as an equal. This view of equality may be in part

because both the male and female are quite literally cut from the same cloth so to speak. The

extra intertwining coil near the top overlaps around their craniums where the brains would be

expected to be found. This additional overlap may continue to signify their likemindedness and

ability to communicate congenially. In essence, Bond of Union appears to exemplify an ideal

relationship, specifically between a man and a woman. The significance of the man and the

woman could be interpreted to represent perhaps feminism ideals or simply a quintessential

marriage.

Bond of Union shows a relationship between two humans, however, it may represent

much more. As the spheres are present around and in between the intertwining strip, they

represent space. Furthermore, as the mbius strip, despite its somewhat dramatic twists and

turns, is seamlessly entwined, it represents connectivity. Therefore, overall Bond of Union is a

clear show that despite any space between us and other humans, we as a humankind are all

entirely interwoven despite our external differences.

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Works Cited

Escher, M. C., & Taschen. (2001). M. C. Escher: The Graphic Work. Taschen.