11 Mind-Bending Examples of Trompe L’oeil
Some art is meant to be admired, some is meant to provoke discussion, and some is meant to ignite change. But in the case of trompe l’oeil, the creation is meant to confuse. Meaning “deceives the eye” in French, trompe l’oeil is a highly realistic painting style that takes 2D surfaces and transforms them into lifelike 3D scenes. Interest in perspective painting surfaced during the Renaissance, though trompe l’oiel became particularly popular in interiors during the Baroque period as a way to make churches appear more grandiose.
When pulled off correctly, the technique not only creates more “space” in a room, but it can also be incredibly satisfying to viewers once the trick is worked out. Here, AD journeys across the world—from the streets of Miami to a church in Manila—to uncover some of the most incredible and mind-bending examples of trompe l’oeil.