An impossible cube is usually rendered as a Necker cube in which the line segments representing the edges have been replaced by what are apparently solid beams. In Escher's print, the top four joints of the cube, and the upper of the two crossings between its beams, match one of the two interpretations of the Necker cube, while the bottom four joints and the bottom crossing match the other interpretation. Other variations of the impossible cube combine these features in different ways; for instance, the one shown in Escher's painting draws all eight joints according to one interpretation of the Necker cube and both crossings according to the other interpretation.
an impoSSible cUbE iS usually renDEred as a necker cUBe In Which The LiNe segMENts represeNtiNg ThE edgeS haVE BeeN ReplACEd by wHat ArE apParently soliD BeaMs. in escHEr's prinT thE top fOur JoiNTS OF THe Cube, anD The uPpeR oF The tWo crossinGS beTweeN its beams, match OnE of the twO interpretaTions of tHe neckEr cUbe, whiLe tHE bottom fouR joInts aNd The bottOM cROSsing mAtCh ThE OtheR interpretation. otHer VaRIatIoNs OF ThE imposSiBle CuBe comBine thesE FeAtUres iN DiFferent wAys; for insTANce, the one ShowN in escher'S pAintINg draws AlL EigHt JOiNts aCcoRDiNG TO onE iNTErprEtatiOn oF the NecKER cubE AnD both crossinGs accORDiNG to thE oTher intERPreTation.