trompe-l'oeil

n. a still-life painting etc. designed to give an illusion of reality.
Etymology: F, lit. 'deceives the eye'

* * *

adjective

creating the illusion of seeing reality

-

the visual deception of trompe-l'oeil art

• Syn: ↑eye-deceiving

• Similar to: ↑unreal

* * *

trompe-l'oeil «tromp loy», noun, adjective.

–noun.

1. an optical illusion, especially as an extreme style of realism in painting, sculpture, or architecture: »

Trompe-l'oeil mimics architectural elements: startling, lifelike dwarfs open false doors; the long balconies missing from the palace facades are supplied in fresco in the interior (New Yorker).

2. a) something done in trompe-l'oeil. b) a school of art emphasizing this.

–adjective.

of or in the style of trompe-l'oeil: »

trompe-l'oeil perspective, a trompe-l'oeil painting, painter, or school.

╂[< French trompe-l'oeil (literally) it deceives the eye]