trompe l'oeil
Americannoun
-
visual deception, especially in paintings, in which objects are rendered in extremely fine detail emphasizing the illusion of tactile and spatial qualities.
-
a painting, mural, or panel of wallpaper designed to create such an effect.
noun
-
a painting or decoration giving a convincing illusion of reality
-
an effect of this kind
Etymology
Origin of trompe l'oeil
1895–1900; < French: literally, (it) fools the eye
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Placing her as Dre's best friend operates as something of a trompe l'oeil given Dre's reason for living is to picture herself in the inner circle of musical royalty.
From Salon
In Atami, the photographer and his friends paid about $9 to get into the Trick Art Museum, where visitors can take photos in trompe l'oeil paintings.
From New York Times
The images vary from iconic Americana to trompe l'oeil landscapes, and in one occasion, a gas mask collaged onto a painting serves as a reminder of the realities of war.
From US News
The artist covered the huge glass pyramid with a trompe l'oeil installation that makes it seem as if the monument at the heart of the courtyard has disappeared.
From US News
On closer examination, it turns out to be trompe l'oeil digital printing on wool.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
