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trompe-l'oeil

trompe-l'oeil

1 9.9
A painting style that makes painted things look real, like a staircase or fruit
  • adjective
  • /trɒmp ləˈwɛl/
  • Literature
: trompe-l'œil
  • The mural on the wall creates a stunning trompe-l'oeil effect, making it look as if there is a doorway leading outside.
  • trompe-l'oeil painting

Examples

  • A stunning trompe-l'oeil mural gave the impression of a grand staircase where none existed.

  • Museums often display works that feature trompe-l'oeil to fascinate visitors with visual tricks.

  • The artist's use of trompe-l'oeil made the painted fruit look almost edible.

  • The artist used trompe-l'oeil techniques to create stunning illusions.

  • Have you ever seen a trompe-l'oeil mural in a building?

  • The artist's use of shadow and light in the trompe-l'oeil painting tricks the viewer into thinking they can step into another world.

  • When you look closely at the trompe-l'oeil artwork, you can see how cleverly it mimics the texture of real brick.

Synonyms

trompe l'oeil
vstrompe-l'oeil
  • Jargon
2 9.9

A painting style that makes flat walls or ceilings look like real objects

intends to trick the viewer into believing the subjects are real

How Realistic

trompe-l'oeil
  • Literature
1 9.9
representationalism
  • Specialized
8.8

Surface Forms

trompe-l'oeil positive

Etymology

The word trompe-l'oeil comes from French parts trompe and l'oeil, meaning 'deceive' and 'the eye'. So it literally means 'deceive the eye' and describes art that 'tricks the eye' into thinking painted things are real.