Trompe-l’oeil (Deceive the Eye)!

Escaping Criticism, 1874, by Pere Borrell del Caso, oil on canvas, Collection Banco de España, MadridTrompe-l’oeil is an art technique that uses realistic imagery to create the optical illusion that depicted objects exist in three dimensions. The techniqe dates back to ancient times, although it wasn’t given its name until the Baroque era.

A fine example of it exists in the work featured above, by artist Pere Borrell del Caso (1835-1910). We know very little about this Catalan painter, other than that he created “Escaping Criticism” when he was around 39 years old, and that he was also an illustrator and engraver.

READ MORE about this particular painting. A Google search will take you to a number of additional discussions of this famous work--but, alas, not more about the artist.

Trompe-l’œil

Pere Borell del Caso, "Escaping Criticism", 1874. Madrid, Banco de EspañaOne of the goals of this blog is to share with you some of the great works of art that I find fascinating--in the hope that you'll find interest in them, too. This work is a masterful example of trompe-l’œil. ArtDaily.org notes that "Trompe-l’œil is distinguished not just by its realism – after all, still life, perspective painting and photography can all claim to be realistic – but by its wit. In the best trompe-l’œil the artist deliberately sets out to trick you, and then lets you know you have been tricked."