A study of an impossible structure. A series of undulating, fluted columns forms a repeating pattern of convex and concave surfaces. Fine cross-hatching, warm sepia tones, and a soft blue background give the drawing a classic, timeless look.
Look closely: convex surfaces turn into concave ones and back again, creating an apparent continuity that defies the logic of the structure. A geometric paradox that plays with our perception of form and space.
There are many variations of this illusion in which the fluting of an architectural structure is manipulated to create optical effects. By playing with the rhythm, spacing, shading, and shape of the grooves, familiar architectural forms can be made to appear distorted or even geometrically impossible, as shown below.
