Trompe l’oeil is a French phrase meaning to ‘deceive the eye’. Objects portrayed in this manner are usually depicted life size and in photographic detail to create an illusion of a 3D space on a 2D surface.
These paintings tell stories of everyday objects and force the onlooker to question small but important details of wear and tear, lost beads and buttons that can carry across so much information about the owner or the history of the object. Trompe l’oeil painting techniques give an opportunity to bring a spot light to usually unnoticed objects that surround us. Life-size illusions help to open up communication with a wider audience, it’s a tool to lure in the spectators to inspect painted details closely and by spending more time in front of the painting become immersed in the artwork.