Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita (1868–1944) was born in Amsterdam. He was an artist and printmaker. He is known for his intricate etchings, woodcuts, and lithographs that often featured animals, botanical forms, and fantastical or symbolic imagery. De Mesquita was a Sephardic Jew who was largely self-taught. But he became a prominent figure in Dutch graphic art during the early 20th century. He was a bold and visionary printmaker from whom Escher learned much.
His work is influenced by Art Nouveau and Symbolism, and his prints often explore themes of nature, mortality, and mysticism. He taught at the Rijksnormaalschool voor Teekenonderwijzers (a teacher training school for drawing), where one of his most famous students was M.C. Escher, who credited de Mesquita as a major influence on his artistic development.
Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita were murdered by the Nazis in the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1944. After the war, Escher and others helped preserve and promote de Mesquita’s artistic legacy. Today, he is recognized as a master printmaker whose work bridges naturalism and the fantastical, and whose influence extends well beyond his lifetime.
The above image «Evil Speaking Little Women» contains the Nazi boot print. Escher saved this etching, along with many of his teacher’s works, from the hands of the Nazi destructors.
Here are some of his works…
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What a moving and insightful portrait of Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita. 🌟
You’ve beautifully captured not only the technical brilliance of his etchings, woodcuts, and lithographs, but also the quiet depth of the man behind them — an artist who wove nature, mystery, and symbolism into work that still feels alive today.
The way you trace his influence on M.C. Escher gives this history a vibrant thread, showing how creativity travels across generations. And by honoring the tragedy of his death alongside the enduring power of his legacy, you’ve made his story both poignant and inspiring.
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