15 brain-scrambling examples of trompe l'oeil

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Trompe l'oeil (trick of the eye) is the term used for the technique of using realistic imagery to create an optical illusion of depth. Artists have been practising it for centuries to create stunning illustrations and fool their audience. And these 15 brilliant examples are no exception. Which is your favourite?

01. Cafe Trompe L'oeil

Artist John Pugh is famous for his intricate trompe l'oeil murals, located around on various buildings around the world. "I have found that the 'language' of life-size illusions allow me to communicate with a very large audience," says Pugh. "It seems almost universal that people take delight in being visually tricked." This detailed piece, titled Art Imitating Life Imitating Art Imitating Life, features at the Cafe Trompe L'oeil, in San Jose, California.

02. Great American Crossroad

Eric Grohe began his creative career as an illustrator and graphic designer back in 1961. Since then, his work has grown in scope and size, leading to the large-scale trompe l’oeil murals he creates today. Using specialist German paint, which crystallizes into mineral substrates and will not fade, peel or blister, Grohe has painted artwork all over the US, including this brilliant piece titled Great American Crossroad, located in Ohio.

03. The Canebière

A specialist in urban illusion, visual artist, painter, videographer and  musician, Pierre Delavie is the man behind this giant trompe l'oeil located on the facade of the Palais de la Bourse in Marseille, France. The brilliant scene shows the Canebière - the historic high street in the old quarter of Marseille - passing right through the building.

04. House party

Last year, artist Ciarán Brennan went all out for his annual house party by painting this optical illusion of balloons spilling out on the walls outside. He comments on his piece, "I didn't get to finish it completely ,I wanted to paint the inside of the house through the hole in the wall but I ended up just making it dark."

05. Roundstone St

Located in Roundtstone St in Trowbridge, UK, this trompe l'oeil is thought to be the biggest in the country. The realistic house design, created by artist Roger Smith and Wiltshire Steeplejacks, was installed on the blank wall in October 2003 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Trowbridge civic society.

06. 39GeorgeV

In 2007, the people of Paris were able to take in this view of the 39GeorgeV building. While the structure was being renovated, artwork made entirely of photographs of the original building was manipulated, printed and hung on scaffolding to shelter the rehabilitation. Very cool. 

07. Siete Punto Uno

Another piece by artist John Pugh, this Egyptian style mural adorns a wall in Los Gatos, California. His incredibly realistic 3D illustrations trick the viewer's eye into believing the scene is real. Even the woman peering into the ruin isn't real.

08. Pepsi truck

Trompe l'oeil art doesn't just work buildings. This Pepsi design, featuring several gravity-defying crates of cola, was one of seven semi-trailer trucks that were painted in the brain-scrambling trompe l'oeil style. (Others included a fish tank and mobile library design.)

09. Balcony

This mind-blowing trompe l'oeil image was created by photographer Helen G. We have to admit, it took us a few seconds to notice the pencil drawing at the top of the building and realise some of the balconies were not real. 

10. Dining table

This dining table looks like it needs a good tidy. However, attempting it wouldn't get you very far as the objects are in fact oil paintings on top of the wood. This brilliant piece was created by fine artist and interior decorator Ian Carnie, who specialises in decorative and landscape trompe l'oeil murals.

11. LaSalle Towers

This facade is part of the LaSalle Towers Apartments high-rise building on North LaSalle Street in Chicago, Illinois. This wall actually has no real door, steps or detailed engravings: everything you see here is a painting. This trompe l'oeil mural is based on Louis H Sullivan's Golden Door from the Transportation Building at the World's Columbian Exposition of 1892.  

12. Derelict building

This impressive mural, painted by artist Nina Camplin, transformed an old, derelict building in Swanage into an eye-catching piece of art. Specialising in trompe l'oeil, Camplin website states she is 'interested in challenging perceptions of space and creating illusions of faked realities.'

13. Garage door library

It's not every day you come across an interesting garage door, so we had to include this one in our list. This particular library design graces the door of Lee Dembart, former editorial writer and book reviewer for the LA Times, for whom books are a passion. Dembart had this trompe l'oeil mural painted in 2005 by artist Don Gray.   

14. The Crevasse

German street painter Edgar Mueller is a master of fun trompe l'oeil work, this crevasse piece being a perfect example. Mueller's website is filled with awe-inspiring images of incredibly detailed and realistic street paintings, which include waterfalls, trees and caves. We know this particular example isn't real but that wouldn't stop us thinking twice before standing on it.

15. Arches

The career of mural artist Janet Shearer began back in 1983 when she was commissioned to decorate the walls of a swimming pool in Hyde Park. Since then she created hundreds of paintings, which range from portraits and landscapes. But Shearer has a particular passion for trompe l'oeil and constantly creates brilliant pieces, including this including this ultra-realistic 'Arches' mural.  

Have you seen any other impressive examples of trompe l'oeil? If so, let us know in the comments box below!

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