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trompe l'oeil
/tɹˈɑːmp ˈɛlˈoʊɪl/
trompe l'œil
trompe-l'œil
Trompe l'oeil
01
an art technique that deceives the eye by creating realistic optical illusions
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Abstract
Composition
Compound
Uncountable
Plural form
trompe l'oeils
What is “Trompe l’oeil”?
“Trompe l’oeil” is a French phrase that means “trick the eye.” It’s a technique in art where the painter creates an illusion that the things they have painted are real and not just a flat picture. For example, they might paint a window that looks like you could reach out and open it, or a vase that seems like you could pick it up. This trick is done by using shadows and light in a way that makes everything look three-dimensional, even though it’s actually on a flat surface. It’s like a magic trick in art that makes you think you’re seeing real objects instead of a painting.
Examples
He used trompe l'oeil to create the illusion of a door where none existed.
