Oscar Reutersvärd

Oscar Reutersvärd (November 29, 1915 in Stockholm, Sweden–February 2, 2002), "the father of the impossible figure", was an artist who pioneered the art of impossible objects. These are images such as what was later renamed the Penrose triangle that appear to depict solid objects, which, however, are impossible to construct in reality. Reutersvärd created his first impossible object in 1934.

In comparing his work to that of the much more famous artist of the impossible, M. C. Escher, it can be observed that Escher builds inhabited worlds around impossible objects, whereas Reutersvärd's designs generally consist of pure geometric forms.

Reutersvärd produced more than 2500 figures, all in isometric projection. Numerous books on his works have been published in Swedish, English, Polish, and Russian.

Recognition by Swedish postage stamps

Reutersvärd's achievements were honoured in 1982 by a series of three Swedish postage stamps. The stamps were engraved by the famous engraver Czesław Słania, based on watercolours by Reutersvärd. They remained in circulation for only about two years, after which they were withdrawn when the postage rate was changed. The Swedish government had the unused stamps destroyed; these scarce items are now eagerly sought collectibles.^[1]

References

1. ^ Al Seckel (2004). Masters of deception: Escher, Dalí & the artists of optical illusion. Sterling. p. 263. ISBN 978-1402705779. 

External links

• Homepage Cz.Slania's Engravings showing Swedish stamps.
• Art of Reutersvard
• Reutersvard Art
• Reutersvard's impossible figures

Persondata
Name	Reutersvard, Oscar
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1915
Place of birth
Date of death	2002
Place of death