Fraud Blocker Skip to main content

Trompe Collection

"Trompe" is a captivating art technique that has been used throughout history to deceive the eye and create stunning visual illusions

Background imageTrompe Collection: Trompe l oeil. The Reverse of a Framed Painting, 1670, by Co

Trompe l oeil. The Reverse of a Framed Painting, 1670, by Co
Cornelius Norbertus Gijsbrechts (1657-1683). Flemish painter. Trompe l oeil. The Reverse of a Framed Painting. National Museum of Denmark. Copenhagen. Denmark

Background imageTrompe Collection: Bald Prima Donna 20C

Bald Prima Donna 20C
A prima donna and her two bald-headed admirers

Background imageTrompe Collection: Bierling Kuno Holzschnitzerei, Oberammergau

Bierling Kuno Holzschnitzerei, Oberammergau
The Bierling Kuno Holzschnitzerei Andenken at Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany. Oberammergau is also famous for its Luftlmalerei

Background imageTrompe Collection: Palm cockatoo and ground parrot

Palm cockatoo and ground parrot
5855222 Palm cockatoo and ground parrot; (add.info.: Palm cockatoo, Probosciger aterrimus, and eastern ground parrot, Pezoporus wallicus)

Background imageTrompe Collection: Wall paintings of candlesticks from the House

Wall paintings of candlesticks from the House
Trompe l oeil wall paintings of candlesticks from the House of Castor and Pollux, Pompeii, excavated 1828. Handcoloured lithograph by Berth after an illustration by Wilhelm Zahn from his Ornament of

Background imageTrompe Collection: Trompe l oeil showing wife and mother-in-law

Trompe l oeil showing wife and mother-in-law
MY WIFE - AND MY MOTHER-IN-LAW 1915

Background imageTrompe Collection: Twin Sisters, Jennifer and Christine Wells, at London Zoo, 10th December 1956 (b / w photo)

Twin Sisters, Jennifer and Christine Wells, at London Zoo, 10th December 1956 (b / w photo)
1738628 Twin Sisters, Jennifer and Christine Wells, at London Zoo, 10th December 1956 (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Background imageTrompe Collection: Portrait of Deborah Sampson, 1797 (litho)

Portrait of Deborah Sampson, 1797 (litho)
1762601 Portrait of Deborah Sampson, 1797 (litho) by American School, (18th century); American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA; (add.info.: Deborah Sampson Gannett (December 17)

Background imageTrompe Collection: The Capture of Escalette, 18th November 1676 (black ink & mapping pen with w / c on paper)

The Capture of Escalette, 18th November 1676 (black ink & mapping pen with w / c on paper)
449361 The Capture of Escalette, 18th November 1676 (black ink & mapping pen with w/c on paper) by Bonnet, Sylvain (fl.1672-92); 49.2x37.8 cm; eThe Devonshire Collections

Background imageTrompe Collection: The Devil Smiles, at the Kings Theatre, Hammersmith, London

The Devil Smiles, at the Kings Theatre, Hammersmith, London, 13 September 1909 for six nights Date: 1909

Background imageTrompe Collection: Trompe l Oeuil, Dug-out Experience, Passchendaele Museum

Trompe l Oeuil, Dug-out Experience, Passchendaele Museum Date: 2016

Background imageTrompe Collection: An organist and a horn player entertain at a Gladiator match (mosaic)

An organist and a horn player entertain at a Gladiator match (mosaic)
BAL211855 An organist and a horn player entertain at a Gladiator match (mosaic) by Roman; Museum fur Vor und Fruhgeschichte, Saarbrucken

Background imageTrompe Collection: Beato Jacopone da Todi (tempera on panel)

Beato Jacopone da Todi (tempera on panel)
828658 Beato Jacopone da Todi (tempera on panel) by Italian School, (13th century); San Miniato al Monte, Florence, Italy; (add.info.: Fra Jacopone da Todi, O.F.M. (ca)

Background imageTrompe Collection: Antique wall painting from the House of Black Walls, Pompeii

Antique wall painting from the House of Black Walls, Pompeii
Antique Trompe l oeil wall painting with figures, column, plinth and festoons from the House of Black Walls, Casa de Bronzi, Pompeii, excavated by Professor Zahn, December 4, 1833

Background imageTrompe Collection: Antique wall painting from Pompeii

Antique wall painting from Pompeii
Antique Trompe l oeil wall painting of statues, gods, figures, candelabra, column, cornice, skirting board, and vignettes from Pompeii, excavated in August 1836

Background imageTrompe Collection: Wall painting from the Casa del Poeta Tragico

Wall painting from the Casa del Poeta Tragico
Trompe l oeil wall painting with vignettes, skirting, cornice, column, and mask from the House of the Tragic Poet, Casa del Poeta Tragico, Pompeii, excavated 1828

Background imageTrompe Collection: Wall painting from the Casa di Argo, Herculaneum

Wall painting from the Casa di Argo, Herculaneum
Trompe l oeil wall paintings from the House of Io and Argo, Casa di Argo, Herculaneum. Handcoloured lithograph by Berth after an illustration by Wilhelm Zahn from his Ornament of All Classical Art

Background imageTrompe Collection: Plate and jardiniere from Niderviller, France

Plate and jardiniere from Niderviller, France
Plate with trompe l oeil illustration of landscape pasted on wood grain, and flower pot or jardiniere with botanical decoration from Niderviller, Lorraine, France

Background imageTrompe Collection: Naval Battle given near Agouste, 22nd April 1676 (black ink & mapping pen with w / c

Naval Battle given near Agouste, 22nd April 1676 (black ink & mapping pen with w / c
449362 Naval Battle given near Agouste, 22nd April 1676 (black ink & mapping pen with w/c on paper) by Bonnet, Sylvain (fl.1672-92); 49.6x38.8 cm; eThe Devonshire Collections

Background imageTrompe Collection: Common seal and elephant seal

Common seal and elephant seal
Common seal, Phoca vitulina 1 and northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris 2. Phoque commun, Phoque a trompe (macrorhine)

Background imageTrompe Collection: Portrait of a man, Camera della Fama, 1548 (fresco)

Portrait of a man, Camera della Fama, 1548 (fresco)
780494 Portrait of a man, Camera della Fama, 1548 (fresco) by Vasari, Giorgio (1511-74); Museo di Casa Vasari, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy; (add.info.: Lazzaro Vasari, Luca Signorelli, Spinello Aretino)

Background imageTrompe Collection: Design for a frontispiece with a view of Rome inside the Porta del Popolo

Design for a frontispiece with a view of Rome inside the Porta del Popolo
449353 Design for a frontispiece with a view of Rome inside the Porta del Popolo and a view of the Pincio (pen & ink with wash on paper) by Vrancx, Sebastian (1573-1647); eThe Devonshire Collections

Background imageTrompe Collection: Jupiter with Cupid and Venus (fresco)

Jupiter with Cupid and Venus (fresco)
2560089 Jupiter with Cupid and Venus (fresco) by Wyatt, Matthew Cotes (1777-1862); Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, UK; British, out of copyright

Background imageTrompe Collection: The Myth of Jupiter and Juno, Elizabeth Saloon (fresco)

The Myth of Jupiter and Juno, Elizabeth Saloon (fresco)
2560088 The Myth of Jupiter and Juno, Elizabeth Saloon (fresco) by Wyatt, Matthew Cotes (1777-1862); Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, UK; British, out of copyright

Background imageTrompe Collection: Jupiter dispatching Mercury on a mission, Elizabeth Saloon (fresco)

Jupiter dispatching Mercury on a mission, Elizabeth Saloon (fresco)
2560087 Jupiter dispatching Mercury on a mission, Elizabeth Saloon (fresco) by Wyatt, Matthew Cotes (1777-1862); Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, UK; British, out of copyright

Background imageTrompe Collection: William Cavendish (engraving)

William Cavendish (engraving)
2597571 William Cavendish (engraving) by Dyck, Anthony van (1599-1641) (after); Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK; (add.info.: William Cavendish)

Background imageTrompe Collection: Portrait of a man, Camera della Fama, 1548 (fresco)

Portrait of a man, Camera della Fama, 1548 (fresco)
780496 Portrait of a man, Camera della Fama, 1548 (fresco) by Vasari, Giorgio (1511-74); Museo di Casa Vasari, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy; (add.info.: Lazzaro Vasari, Luca Signorelli, Spinello Aretino)

Background imageTrompe Collection: Portrait of Marguerite Josephine Wiemer (Marguerite Georges)

Portrait of Marguerite Josephine Wiemer (Marguerite Georges)
XEE956352 Portrait of Marguerite Josephine Wiemer (Marguerite Georges) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Marguerite Georges (1787-1867) was a French stage actor

Background imageTrompe Collection: The King and the Cobbler (engraving)

The King and the Cobbler (engraving)
611394 The King and the Cobbler (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The King and the Cobbler)

Background imageTrompe Collection: St Sabinus, Cardinal egidio Albornoz kneeling, St Clement and St Francis

St Sabinus, Cardinal egidio Albornoz kneeling, St Clement and St Francis, scenes from the life of St Catherine of
1762100 St Sabinus, Cardinal egidio Albornoz kneeling, St Clement and St Francis, scenes from the life of St Catherine of Alexandria, c

Background imageTrompe Collection: Portrait of Louis de Silvestre (engraving)

Portrait of Louis de Silvestre (engraving)
955210 Portrait of Louis de Silvestre (engraving) by Saint-Aubin, Augustin de (1736-1807); 39.1x26.9 cm; Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge

Background imageTrompe Collection: Portrait of a man, Camera della Fama, 1548 (fresco)

Portrait of a man, Camera della Fama, 1548 (fresco)
780498 Portrait of a man, Camera della Fama, 1548 (fresco) by Vasari, Giorgio (1511-74); Museo di Casa Vasari, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy; (add.info.: Lazzaro Vasari, Luca Signorelli, Spinello Aretino)

Background imageTrompe Collection: Portrait of a man, Camera della Fama, 1548 (fresco)

Portrait of a man, Camera della Fama, 1548 (fresco)
780495 Portrait of a man, Camera della Fama, 1548 (fresco) by Vasari, Giorgio (1511-74); Museo di Casa Vasari, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy; (add.info.: Lazzaro Vasari, Luca Signorelli, Spinello Aretino)

Background imageTrompe Collection: God blessing Abraham with a son, Camera di Abramo (Nuziale)

God blessing Abraham with a son, Camera di Abramo (Nuziale)
780510 God blessing Abraham with a son, Camera di Abramo (Nuziale) by Vasari, Giorgio (1511-74); Museo di Casa Vasari, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy; Photo eRaffaello Bencini; Italian, out of copyright

Background imageTrompe Collection: Portrait of a man, Camera della Fama, 1548 (fresco)

Portrait of a man, Camera della Fama, 1548 (fresco)
780497 Portrait of a man, Camera della Fama, 1548 (fresco) by Vasari, Giorgio (1511-74); Museo di Casa Vasari, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy; (add.info.: Lazzaro Vasari, Luca Signorelli, Spinello Aretino)

Background imageTrompe Collection: A False Wife, by F Marriott Watson, Opera House, Torquay

A False Wife, by F Marriott Watson, Opera House, Torquay
A False Wife, by F Marriott Watson, at the Opera House, Torquay. 1908

Background imageTrompe Collection: The Devil Smiles, Opera House, Northampton

The Devil Smiles, Opera House, Northampton
The Devil Smiles, at the Opera House, Northampton

Background imageTrompe Collection: St Pauls, 2010. Creator: Ethel Davies

St Pauls, 2010. Creator: Ethel Davies
St Pauls Cathedral, the seat of the Bishop of London and the Christopher Wren-designed replacement of 1675, to the one that burned down in the Fire of 1666

Background imageTrompe Collection: Childs slate and toy gun on a Christmas card

Childs slate and toy gun on a Christmas card. early 20th century

Background imageTrompe Collection: Entrance hall by Allan Walton

Entrance hall by Allan Walton, carried out by Fortnum & Mason, with lightly marbled walls in ivory and pale green with rose pink, and a trompe l oeil effect seascape in perspective. Date: 1933

Background imageTrompe Collection: Childs slate with pen and toy soldiers on a New Year card

Childs slate with pen and toy soldiers on a New Year card. Date: early 20th century

Background imageTrompe Collection: Slate with pen and comic greeting on a Christmas card

Slate with pen and comic greeting on a Christmas card -- May you never have to chalk it up! Date: early 20th century

Background imageTrompe Collection: Childs slate with pen and greeting on a Christmas card

Childs slate with pen and greeting on a Christmas card
Childs slate with pen, sponge and greeting on a Christmas card. Date: early 20th century

Background imageTrompe Collection: Childs slate with pen and scribbles on a New Year card

Childs slate with pen and scribbles on a New Year card. Date: early 20th century

Background imageTrompe Collection: Childs slate with pen and scribbles on a Christmas card

Childs slate with pen and scribbles on a Christmas card. Date: early 20th century

Background imageTrompe Collection: Childs slate with pen and baubles on a Christmas card

Childs slate with pen and baubles on a Christmas card. early 20th century

Background imageTrompe Collection: Italy. Rome. Spadas Palace

Italy. Rome. Spadas Palace. Built in the 16th century and renovated in the 17th century by Francesco Borromini (1599-1667). Courtyard



All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Trompe" is a captivating art technique that has been used throughout history to deceive the eye and create stunning visual illusions. One notable example of this technique is seen in "Trompe l'oeil. The Reverse of a Framed Painting, 1670, by Co, " where the artist skillfully tricks us into believing that what we see is actually the backside of a painting. In the realm of theater, "Bald Prima Donna 20C" employs trompe l'oeil to transport audiences into an alternate reality, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. Similarly, Bierling Kuno Holzschnitzerei's work in Oberammergau showcases intricate wood carvings that seem almost lifelike - a true testament to trompe l'oeil mastery. The enchanting Luftlmaleri Frescoes found in Oberammergau mesmerize viewers with their wall paintings depicting candlesticks from grand houses. These seemingly three-dimensional artworks add depth and charm to any space they adorn. Another intriguing twist on trompe l'oeil can be observed in works like "Trompe l'oeil showing wife and mother-in-law. " This clever piece challenges our perception by presenting two contrasting images within one composition. Even everyday objects can become subjects for trompe l'oeil artistry. Take, for instance, a child's slate and toy gun depicted on a Christmas card - an unexpected surprise that adds whimsy to holiday greetings. Moving beyond traditional paintings, Allan Walton's entrance hall design takes advantage l'oeil techniques to transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences. Visitors are transported into another world as they step through his masterful creations. Photography also embraces this illusionary approach; twin sisters Jennifer and Christine Wells at London Zoo were captured beautifully in black-and-white photography on December 10th, 1956.