trompe l'oeil

[ French trawnp lœ-yuh; English trawmp ley, loi ]

noun

1. visual deception, especially in paintings, in which objects are rendered in extremely fine detail emphasizing the illusion of tactile and spatial qualities.
2. a painting, mural, or panel of wallpaper designed to create such an effect.

trompe l'oeil

/ trɔ̃p lœj /

noun

1. a painting or decoration giving a convincing illusion of reality
2. an effect of this kind

Word History and Origins

Origin of trompe l'oeil¹

1895–1900; < French: literally, (it) fools the eye

Word History and Origins

Origin of trompe l'oeil¹

from French, literally: deception of the eye

Related Words

• film set
• mise en scène
• scenery
• set
• setting
• stage set