special fact

The Nazi persecution of the Jews touched Escher in a very personal way. His old teacher, Samuel de Mesquita, (a jew) who also produced etchings, lithographs, watercolors and drawings, primarily known for his woodblock prints, was taken away by the Nazis in January of 1944, and was killed. Escher helped to save some of his art from his home. He kept for himself a sketch that bore the imprint of a German boot, and kept it with his drawing supplies for the rest of his life. Samuel de Mesquita had a big influence on Escher.