Eschermania in Padua: a major M.C. Escher exhibition at Centro

Eschermania in Padua: M.C. Escher at Centro Culturale Altinate | San Gaetano

Dates: ongoing until 19 July 2026

Centro Culturale Altinate | San Gaetano hosts one of the most comprehensive exhibitions devoted to Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898–1972). Presented by the city of Padua and produced by Arthemisia with leading Escher organizations, the exhibition gathers more than 150 works spanning the artist’s career, including iconic pieces such as Hand with Reflecting Sphere, Day and Night, Metamorphosis II, Relativity and Belvedere.

Highlights

• Original works: historic prints that showcase Escher’s graphic techniques (woodcuts, linocuts, mezzotint, lithography).
• Eight thematic sections: the route guides visitors from early works and Italian travels to tessellations, metamorphoses and geometric paradoxes.
• Interactive displays: installations and stations that explain concepts such as the Droste effect and allow hands-on exploration of Escher’s perspective puzzles.
• VR experience: an immersive virtual reality journey hosted at the Musei Civici Eremitani, designed to let visitors experience Escher-like spatial paradoxes firsthand.

Educational and experiential programming

The exhibition includes extensive educational content: videos, written insights and sensory installations. Notable features include the Relativity Room (which distorts orientation and scale), the Mirror Room (infinite reflections) and interactive stations linked to emblematic works like Hand with Reflecting Sphere.

Visitor tips

• Check opening hours and access rules on the official Centro Culturale Altinate | San Gaetano website before your visit.
• The VR component is staged at the Musei Civici Eremitani: verify booking requirements as spaces may be limited.
• The show is suitable for a broad audience: adults, students and families interested in graphic art, visual mathematics and design will find dedicated materials and routes.

Curator: Federico Giudiceandrea. Production and organization: Arthemisia in collaboration with M.C. Escher Foundation, M.C. Escher Heritage and related partners.

Article author: Roberto Civetta