repoussoir

American  

[ruh-poo-swahr] / rə puˈswɑr /

noun

Painting.

1. a figure or object in the extreme foreground: used as a contrast and to increase the illusion of depth.

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Etymology

Origin of repoussoir

1870–75; < French, equivalent to repouss ( er ) to push back ( repoussé ) + -oir -ory ²

Example Sentences

Davis suspends the aerial diver in space, a repoussoir figure designed to visually lead us into the scene.

From Los Angeles Times

The hitch: A repoussoir figure is a kind of stand-in for the audience, who is also peering into the scene.

From Los Angeles Times

Repoussoir figures such as this one are commonly used in art to direct a viewer’s attention into a visually complicated scene.

From Los Angeles Times

A so-called repoussoir figure, he turns to look over his shoulder directly at us.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of his most delectable paintings, such as The Cornfield, 1826, rely on the Claudean use of dark repoussoir trees framing a view of bright space at the center, and this can make them too charming to a modern eye.

From Time Magazine Archive