Optical Effect Collection

The Mirage in the Desert (engraving)
8658621 The Mirage in the Desert (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Mirage in the Desert)

Sir John Tenniel cartoon: "Mirage" (engraving)
8657287 Sir John Tenniel cartoon: "Mirage" (engraving) by Tenniel, John (1820-1914) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Princess and attendant in trompe l'oeil window, c.1765 (opaque w/c and gold on paper)
XOS5874007 Princess and attendant in trompe l'oeil window, c.1765 (opaque w/c and gold on paper) by Khan, Aqil (active mid-1700s); 12.5x7.8 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH

3540 3
VEN5027197 3540 3; (add.info.: Salle de l'histoire d'Ulysse. Fresque de Pellegrino Tibaldi (ou Tibaldo) dit il Pellegrini (1530-1596). Detail de la voute. Palazzo Poggi, Bologne

A man and two women photographed around 1900 at a fair, driving a fake car painted in trompe l'oeil (Rolls Royce)
PCT4256954 A man and two women photographed around 1900 at a fair, driving a fake car painted in trompe l'oeil (Rolls Royce) (photo); © Patrice Cartier. All rights reserved 2023.

Apollo playing the Cithare (Apollo citharede). Trompe l'oeil fresco. Anonymous
VEN5027644 Apollo playing the Cithare (Apollo citharede). Trompe l'oeil fresco. Anonymous. Palazzo Ferrari, Piacenza (Piacenza).; (add.info.: Apollo playing the Cithare (Apollo citharede)

Hercules (Heracles) received in Olympus, 1780. Ceiling fresco of Palazzo Malvezzi, Bologna
VEN5027251 Hercules (Heracles) received in Olympus, 1780. Ceiling fresco of Palazzo Malvezzi, Bologna. Artwork by Ubaldo Gandolfi (1728-1781) and David Zanotti.; (add.info)

Madrid, Spain, Arcimboldesque cartoon drawing of the Queen of Spain Isabella II (1830-1904), 1865, SOLD (?)
LUX4729273 Madrid, Spain, Arcimboldesque cartoon drawing of the Queen of Spain Isabella II (1830-1904), 1865, SOLD (?); (add.info.: Madrid, Spain)

The ceiling painted by Hippolyte Berteaux, the official painter of the city of Nantes, was inaugurated in 1881
ETI4396865 The ceiling painted by Hippolyte Berteaux, the official painter of the city of Nantes, was inaugurated in 1881

View of the valut of the Room of Ulysses, Palazzo della Prefettura, Bergamo, Italy (photo)
2654973 View of the valut of the Room of Ulysses, Palazzo della Prefettura, Bergamo, Italy (photo); (add.info.: Bergamo, Palazzo della Prefettura: the vault of the Hall of Ulysses)

Sahara: mirage in the desert, 1881 (engraving)
PCT4295380 Sahara: mirage in the desert, 1881 (engraving); (add.info.: Sahara: mirage in the desert - illustration of the book " Picturesque travel around the world")

France, Two women has a window gives the illusion of a skull's head, 1860
LUX4732942 France, Two women has a window gives the illusion of a skull's head, 1860; (add.info.: France, Two women has a window gives the illusion of a skull's head)

Musician angels. Fresco by Mattia Preti (1613-1699) made between 1652-1653. Church of San Biagio, Modene
VEN5027704 Musician angels. Fresco by Mattia Preti (1613-1699) made between 1652-1653. Church of San Biagio, Modene.; (add.info.: Musician angels)

Wallpaper design by Joseph Dufour et Cie, Macon, France, c.1800-27 (wallpaper)
BAL112375 Wallpaper design by Joseph Dufour et Cie, Macon, France, c.1800-27 (wallpaper); Deutsches Tapetenmuseum, Kassel, Germany.

Trompe l'oeil, The Reverse of a Framed Painting, 1668-72 (oil on canvas)
8724033 Trompe l'oeil, The Reverse of a Framed Painting, 1668-72 (oil on canvas) by Gijsbrechts, Cornelis Norbertus (1630-1683); Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen

Illustration for "Abecedaire des arts et metiers pour teaching a lire", 1866 (engraving)
DUV4205640 Illustration for "Abecedaire des arts et metiers pour teaching a lire", 1866 (engraving); 21x17 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Letter K Kaleidoscope)

Ceiling frescoes of the Hall of Cardinals, Collegio San Carlo. Modene
VEN5027572 Ceiling frescoes of the Hall of Cardinals, Collegio San Carlo. Modene; Fondazione San Carlo, Collegio San Carlo, Modena, Italy; (add.info.: Ceiling frescoes of the Hall of Cardinals)

Postcard, Satirique in N & B: Victor Emmanuel III - Italy - Victor-Emmanuel III, Women
ICA4948652 Postcard, Satirique in N & B: Victor Emmanuel III - Italy - Victor-Emmanuel III, Women; (add.info.: Postcard, Satirique in N & B: Victor Emmanuel III - Italy - Victor-Emmanuel III)

Postcard, Satirical in N & B: Nicholas II - Russia - Nicholas II
ICA4948635 Postcard, Satirical in N & B: Nicholas II - Russia - Nicholas II; (add.info.: Postcard, Satirical in N & B: Nicholas II - Russia - Nicholas II); Photo © Caricadoc.

Postcard, Satirique en N & B, ca. 1915: Untitled - Belgium - Leopold II, Femmes
ICA4948585 Postcard, Satirique en N & B, ca. 1915: Untitled - Belgium - Leopold II, Femmes; (add.info.: Postcard, Satirique en N & B, ca)

Secession War or American Civil War (1861-1865): a Quaker cannon, a tree trunk cut and painted to appear as a cannon
NWI4831745 Secession War or American Civil War (1861-1865): a Quaker cannon, a tree trunk cut and painted to appear as a cannon, a Manassas (Virginia)

Trompe l'Oeil Still Life, c.1754 (gouache, tempera? and w/c)
XOS5874072 Trompe l'Oeil Still Life, c.1754 (gouache, tempera? and w/c) by Meyer, Jacobus Cornelis (18th century); 37.3x27.4 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH

The ceiling painted by Hippolyte Berteaux, the official painter of the city of Nantes, was inaugurated in 1881
ETI4396862 The ceiling painted by Hippolyte Berteaux, the official painter of the city of Nantes, was inaugurated in 1881

HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPH AND CINEMA The "toy" called thaumatropio
6203003 HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPH AND CINEMA The "toy" called thaumatropio; (add.info.: HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPH AND CINEMA The "toy" called thaumatropio)

Photo montage showing the same man drinking and drinking, 1890
LUX4712378 Photo montage showing the same man drinking and drinking, 1890; (add.info.: Photo montage showing the same man drinking and drinking, 1890); Photo © Lux-in-Fine.

Kaleidoscope - Engraving by Lesestre Pere in "New alphabet of childhood games and recreation" 1881 Dimensions
DUV4218598 Kaleidoscope - Engraving by Lesestre Pere in "New alphabet of childhood games and recreation" 1881 Dimensions: 17,5 x 11 cm.; (add.info)

Dictionary: Anamorphosis, in Perspective and Painting (engraving)
8636638 Dictionary: Anamorphosis, in Perspective and Painting (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Anamorphosis, in Perspective and Painting)

Cosimo I de' Medici (Cosimo) represented in Apollo surrounded by glory and virtue in the presence of Hercules
BEN5468509 Cosimo I de' Medici (Cosimo) represented in Apollo surrounded by glory and virtue in the presence of Hercules, a Nymph and Atlas

Two young women driving a car, early 20th century (b/w photo)
PCT5618254 Two young women driving a car, early 20th century (b/w photo); (add.info.: Two young women driving a car: photograph with trompe-l'oeil decoration taken in a studio at the beginning of)

Apollo playing the Cithare (Apollo citharede). Anonymous mural. Palazzo Ferrari, Piacenza (Piacenza)
VEN5027664 Apollo playing the Cithare (Apollo citharede). Anonymous mural. Palazzo Ferrari, Piacenza (Piacenza).; (add.info.: Apollo playing the Cithare (Apollo citharede). Anonymous mural

Postcard, Satirique en N & B, 1913: Germany Prussia, German language - William II
ICA4948749 Postcard, Satirique en N & B, 1913: Germany Prussia, German language - William II; (add.info.: Postcard, Satirique en N & B, 1913: Germany Prussia)

A specter of Brocken, the enlarged shadow of an object, here a mountaineer
NWI4929527 A specter of Brocken, the enlarged shadow of an object, here a mountaineer, observed from a mountain summit in the direction opposite the sun, on fog

Faience Stannifere Trompe l'oeil Dish with Large Fire Design Polychrome Diameter 23 cm Musee Grobet Labadie
JEB4903085 Faience Stannifere Trompe l'oeil Dish with Large Fire Design Polychrome Diameter 23 cm Musee Grobet Labadie Marseille; Musee Grobet-Labadie, Marseille

France, Photographic business card showing a trompe l'oeil of Trombine and Binette of 4 characters, 1863
LUX4731766 France, Photographic business card showing a trompe l'oeil of Trombine and Binette of 4 characters, 1863; (add.info.: France)

The apotheosis of Hercules (fresco)
BEN5461408 The apotheosis of Hercules (fresco) by Ricci, Sebastiano (1658-1734); Palazzo Marucelli-Fenzi, Florence, Italy; (add.info.: The apotheosis of Hercules)

HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPH AND CINEMA The "toy" called thaumatropio
6203004 HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPH AND CINEMA The "toy" called thaumatropio; (add.info.: HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPH AND CINEMA The "toy" called thaumatropio)

Illustration of Eugene-Hippolyte Forest (1808-1891) in " Song illustree"
ICA4841524 Illustration of Eugene-Hippolyte Forest (1808-1891) in " Song illustree", circa 1840 - Pulls the string my wife Optical Scene - Diorama; (add.info)

France, Photographic business card showing a trompe l'oeil de pierrot et pigombine, 1863
LUX4731780 France, Photographic business card showing a trompe l'oeil de pierrot et pigombine, 1863; (add.info.: France)

France: Fair photo showing a trompe l'oeil representing two gendarmes driving an alcoholic to the station, 1925
LUX4723894 France: Fair photo showing a trompe l'oeil representing two gendarmes driving an alcoholic to the station, 1925; (add.info.: France)

Mascaron reading in the place and in the reverse detail of the facade of the Renaissance Hotel 1544
JEB4942498 Mascaron reading in the place and in the reverse detail of the facade of the Renaissance Hotel 1544, place des Petites benches, La Rochelle (17000)

Mascaron reading in the place and in the reverse detail of the facade of the Renaissance Hotel 1544
JEB4942479 Mascaron reading in the place and in the reverse detail of the facade of the Renaissance Hotel 1544, place des Petites benches, La Rochelle (17000)

France: 2 men pose in a trumpe the fairground representing a car, 1910
LUX4773466 France: 2 men pose in a trumpe the fairground representing a car, 1910; (add.info.: France: 2 men pose in a trumpe the fairground representing a car, 1910); Photo © Lux-in-Fine.

Magical lantern projection in the 19th century. The Fantascope produced by the Belgian aeronautic physicist Etienne
PCT4268100 Magical lantern projection in the 19th century. The Fantascope produced by the Belgian aeronautic physicist Etienne Gaspard (Etienne Gaspard) Robert (known as Robertson 1763-1837)

Ceiling of the Comedie Francaise, Painting by Alexis de Mazerolles (19th century), Paris, France
ETI4396867 Ceiling of the Comedie Francaise, Painting by Alexis de Mazerolles (19th century), Paris, France.; (add.info.: Ceiling of the Comedie Francaise)

Letters I J K L M; J Organ Player; K Kaleidoscope; L Lithographer; M Plaster Molder
DUV4205631 Letters I J K L M; J Organ Player; K Kaleidoscope; L Lithographer; M Plaster Molder. Engraving in "Abecedaire des arts et metiers pour teaching a lire"

The 'Cappella Paolina', view of the altar wall, designed by Carlo Maderno (1556-1629) 1617 (photo)
BEN110314 The 'Cappella Paolina', view of the altar wall, designed by Carlo Maderno (1556-1629) 1617 (photo); Palazzo del Quirinale, Rome, Italy; Photo © Raffaello Bencini.

Card Rack with a Jack of Hearts, c.1895 (oil on canvas)
XOS5878804 Card Rack with a Jack of Hearts, c.1895 (oil on canvas) by Peto, John Frederick (1854-1907); 95.9x83.2 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH, USA; (add.info.: Painting by John F)

The Mirage, An Incident of Desert Travel (engraving)
8669245 The Mirage, An Incident of Desert Travel (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Mirage, An Incident of Desert Travel)

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"Unveiling the Illusion: Exploring the Mesmerizing World of Optical Effects" Step into a world where reality blurs and imagination takes flight. From grand country houses to ancient frescoes, optical effects have been used throughout history to captivate and deceive the eye. In the staircase hall of Kings Weston House, Bristol, an intricately painted urn in a niche plays tricks on perception. Its skillful shading and perspective create an illusion of depth that draws you closer, as if beckoning from another dimension. At Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, the Saloon mesmerizes with its north-west view. The clever use of light and shadow gives life to Baroque architecture, making it seem almost tangible. It's a testament to Sir John Vanbrugh's mastery in creating optical illusions within his designs. Radnor House in Middlesex boasts a ground-floor baroque ceiling that defies gravity itself. With its intricate patterns and trompe-l'oeil techniques, it transports visitors into a realm where ceilings become portals to otherworldly realms. Sezincote in Gloucestershire enchants guests with its dining room adorned with trompe-l'oeil paintings. These masterpieces blur boundaries between reality and artistry, transforming plain walls into windows opening onto lush landscapes or scenes from distant lands. Moving beyond architecture, we delve into artistic masterpieces such as "The Ambassadors. " Hans Holbein's iconic painting challenges our perception through anamorphic distortion—a hidden skull only revealed when viewed from an oblique angle—an eerie reminder of mortality lurking beneath beauty. Venturing further back in time, we discover frescoes adorning Santuario della Santa Casa in Loreto. Here, prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah stand alongside celestial beings—each brushstroke breathing life into divine visions that transcend mere paint on plaster. Turning pages of illuminated manuscripts like the Book of Hours reveals opulent creations bound in red velour with metal corners.