Exploring M.C. Escher’s Sites in Baarn, Netherlands

Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898–1972) was born in Leeuwarden, in the northern Netherlands. During his youth, he attended various schools throughout the country. In his twenties, he traveled extensively through Italy and Spain, which largely influenced his early art. During these travels, he met a Swiss woman whom he later married. The couple initially settled in Rome, and later lived in Switzerland and Belgium.

After spending more than 15 years living abroad, Escher returned to the Netherlands in February 1941, bringing his wife and three sons with him. This move was motivated mainly by the start of World War II and the death of his parents. Escher chose to settle in Baarn, a town in the province of Utrecht in the center of the country.

The first place he lived was in a rented semi-detached house on Nicolaas Beetslaan, at number 20. However, less than three years later, the Germans confiscated it to accommodate their soldiers, forcing Escher and his family to move out. After a few more moves within Baarn, he eventually had his own house built in 1954, where he lived until 1970.

Escher also became a member of the local Rotary Club. On his 100th birthday, the club celebrated their former member with a sculpture titled Tribute to Escher, created by Wijnand Zijlmans and inspired by Escher’s art. This sculpture can still be found near the Baarn train station.

The Baarn town hall also publicly displays Escher-themed artwork. A colorful glass panel inspired by the birds from Escher’s woodcut Day and Night sits directly above its entrance.

Though widely admired by the public, Escher was largely overlooked by the art world for most of his life due to the highly mathematical nature of his work. Official and widespread recognition came only at the end of his life, even more so after his death.

Escher died on March 27, 1972, at the age of 73. He was buried in the New General Cemetery in Baarn, where his grave can still be visited today. It is located in row V-34, in the southeastern corner of the cemetery. A map with row numbers is available near the entrance. The grave is decorated with a beautiful reproduction of Escher’s lithograph Liberation.

All of these locations are within walking distance of each other and can be easily reached from the Baarn train station. On the way back from the cemetery to the train station, it is worth walking through the Baarnse Bos, the forest where Escher often found inspiration for his art.

Other Escher-related points of interest in Baarn include a street named after him, the house he had built, and several additional artworks that he either designed or inspired (although not all are publicly accessible). The town of Baarn is easily reached by direct train from Amsterdam, Utrecht, or Amersfoort.

Author’s bio: 

Wim Hordijk, Ph.D., is an independent scientist and writer with a special interest in evolution and the historical developments of how things came to be, from the origin of life to technology and culture. More information about his research and publications can be found on his personal website.