home and hearth magazine

In commemoration of April 1st (also known as April Fool’s Day), I thought it would be appropriate to do a post on modern trompe l’oeil art for the home.

Trompe l’oeil design is an artistic technique that has always fascinated me.  What intrigues me most about trompe l’oeil is the artist’s ability to manipulate the depth, perspective, color, light and features of an image. Generally the renderings are so life-like, that it fools the viewer’s eyes into seeing something that isn’t really there.  The trompe l’oeil technique is based on creating an optical illusion and was kind of like an early form of 3D HD.  As a matter of fact, the French term “trompe l’oeil” loosely translated means “to fool the eye.”

Historically, the trompe l’oeil technique began as a wall art murals and date back to early Pompeii by way of fresco paintings.  It is like a high-end form of graffiti if you will.  Fresco painting involves applying pigment to wet plaster walls.  Once the plaster dries, the colors of the painted image remain vibrant and permanently in place for many years to come.

Famous, early practitioners of trompe l’oeil technique include artisans like Petrus Christus from the Netherlands (ca. 1410/1420–1475/1476), Pere Borrell del Caso from Spain, (1835-1910) and my personal favorite, Italian painter, Vittore Carpaccio (c. 1465 – 1525/1526).

Here are some trompe l’oeil creations that I’d like to share with you.  No, there is no wet plaster so please, enjoy them.  Happy April Fool’s Day.