Tessellation in Art

A LOOK AT

AN INTRODUCTION TO TESSELLATION IN ART

Tessellations or tiling were first used as part of wall and architectural décor dating as far back as 4,000 BCE. The Sumerian culture was first recorded as using clay for tessellation décor in homes and venerative buildings.

ORIGINS

The anatomy of tessellation patterns makes use of specific terminology that is useful when analyzing and interpreting the foundational elements of tessellation art.

PATTERNS

You may notice that certain tessellation artworks possess a level of symmetry, demonstrating the balance of proportion between two halves of each axis or object. Tessellations are also composed of different types of symmetry.

SYMMETRY

Periodic tessellations often contain motifs or tiles that are repeated indefinitely in two separate directions and form motifs with symmetry.

PERIODIC TESSELATIONS

FAMOUS EXAMPLES OF TESSELLATION ART

Hand-Knotted Carpet (1902)  by Koloman Moser

Frau Nolda (1901)  by Koloman Moser

Kirche am Steinhof Church Window (1905)  by Koloman Moser