Trompe-L'oeil....

Translated from French, trompe-l'oeil (pronounced tromp loy) means literally to 'deceive the eye'.  It is a technique that has been used for centuries that creates the believable illusion of a three-dimensional subject but portrayed on a two-dimensional surface such as canvas or paper. It often gives the appearance of "opening up" or expanding space.  For example, a window or a door that seems to lead to an expanded vista.

A Vineyard in Tuscany

Doves on Window Sill over Entryway

Stairway along the sea

 Although it is said to have its origins in the Baroque period, it would be better to say that it re-emerged during that time, but has been around dating back to the time of Pompeii in Greek and Roman history.  During the Renaissance period, Italian artists were using a type of trompe-l'oeil known as "di sotto en su' (translation:  from below, upward), when doing ceiling painting.  The elements on the ceiling were painted as if viewed from a true vanishing point perspective and were incredibly realistic and believable.

Artists during this period also began adding small random elements of trompe-l'oeil to their work such as a bug crawling on the picture frame or even appearing to crawl out of the picture and frame altogether.  The public was fascinated with this type of trickery; so much so that studies were done on this phenomenon which show that humans are absolutely enthralled with the whole concept of illusion.  For some reason we love to be tricked in this manner - we just can't get enough of someone "deceiving our eyes"!  Perhaps this is why trompe-l'oeil has been and continues to be so popular.

Trompe-l'oeil, when depicting architecture, is referred to as quadraturo.  A ceiling painting that gives the illusion of a domed ceiling opening up to the heavens would be a good example.  The appearance of the curved dome is so believable that is actually is perceived to be the actual architectural structure of the building.

Flemish painters in the 17th century were masters of utilizing trompe-l'oeil in still lifes.  They would paint so that certain objects would seem to "stand out" from the actual canvas - a window sill or an object which appeared to be floating are good examples.This style of painting is known as chantourne, which translated means "cut out". Here's a great example of  this style of trompe-l'oeil chantourne which Edwin did several years ago, and also happens to be one of my personal favorites:

Trompe l'oeil has long been used in murals and experienced a resurgence in popularity during the 1980's.  This resurgence continues in the present day.  In fact, most people don't realize that this technique has been used in other areas besides art.  It has long played an important role in theater set design when creating the illusion of deeper space that what can be achieved on a normal stage.  Forced perspective streets are very common on sets, as they appear to disappear far into the distance.

It is even utilized in films, TV shows, and cartoons!  A form of trompe-l'oeil was used n pre-computer generated imagery when filming complicated scenes.  They would take glass blocks and paint them with particular elements of the scene then film the action through the blocks.  And cartoons!  (Think Looney Toons!)  How many times did Roadrunner paint a tunnel on the side of a mountain only to have Wile E. Coyote try to run into the tunnel only to run smack into a rock wall:?  Or realize the tunnel was a trick and stop himself just in time - to then be run over be a speeding train coming out of the imaginary tunnel!


So trompe-l'oeil, in all of its many forms and applications, from long ago Masters to modern-day muralists, continues to trick and delight us; making us smile and shake our heads at the illusion.  And after all, isn't that what art is all about?