Trompe l’oeil
Trompe l’oeil is the term used for a technique that creates the illusion of reality. It is French for ‘fool the eye’ or ‘deceive the eye’. It has long been used by artists for paintings and murals, but can also be found in architecture where walls, ceilings, domes and other surfaces are painted with designs that ‘trick’ the observer into seeing other features such as windows, columns, stonework, ornaments and so on.
The first instance of trompe l’oeil perspective techniques being used in architecture can be found in the medieval period, but it became increasingly common during the Renaissance. Artists were often employed to paint the inside of churches, to give walls the appearance of decorative features, columns, windows, views and so on. Perhaps the most famous example of the technique is Michelangelo’s frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.
The technique is also found in the design of stage sets where forced perspective can be used to give the impression that the stage is deeper than it is.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Architectural styles.
- Architrave.
- Arts and craft movement.
- Bas-relief.
- Baroque architecture.
- Classical orders in architecture.
- Cornice.
- Elements of classical columns.
- English architectural stylistic periods.
- Entablature.
- Frieze.
- Finishes.
- Gargoyle.
- Grotesque.
- Large-scale murals.
- Nineteenth century architecture.
- Pilaster.
- Polite architecture.
- Skeuomorphism.
- Stained glass.
- Tessera.
- The architectural profession.
- Vernacular architecture.
IHBC NewsBlog
‘European Perspectives’ in Context 157, includes Jokilehto on ‘Concerning Heritage’, ‘Brexit’ takes and more.
Nominate for the IHBC Marsh Awards 2019 – Celebrate OUTSTANDING retired IHBC members, and SUCCESSFUL new Heritage Learners – Closing 28 Feb!
IHBC HESPR top pick from £200K+ costed work this week
The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) seeks ‘Parks for People’ impact assessment, closing 28/01, value £55-60k.
Locally-driven approach is needed to rejuvenate town centres
Expert retail industry panel, the Town Centres Expert Panel, calla for a community-focused approach to tackling the challenges facing high streets and town centres.
BEIS Committee energy efficiency inquiry - deadline of 17 January
Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Committee inquiry into Government’s approach to delivering energy efficiency improvements to buildings – submissions deadline 17/1.
Heritage Lottery Fund: ‘Updated Policy Directions’ issued by DCMS
Following consultation, updated policy directions have been issued to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in its role as a distributing body of National Lottery funds.
BSI: UK to maintain European standards position
European Standards Organizations have approved a plan to secure BSI’s membership post-Brexit.
CIOB Parliamentary Reception launches call for improving quality in the built environment
The Chartered Institute of Building’s parliamentary reception on 12 Dec launched its report ‘Improving Quality in the Built Environment’.
Programme to support placemaking in England at local level launched
RIBA, Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), Local Government Association (LGA) and RTPI’s ‘Future Place’ will recognise, reward and encourage high quality placemaking.
SPAB awards for new design in historic settings
3 young architecture graduates have won the SPAB’s, Philip Webb Award, for schemes proving that with imagination and sensitivity you don’t need to demolish historic buildings.
Dounreay nuclear reactor demolition contract awarded
The decommissioning of Dounreay’s oldest nuclear reactor in Scotland has taken a major step forward with the award of a multi-million pound demolition contract.
image: Open Government Licence v3.0
Civic Voice plans for 2019 - more Conservation Area advocacy
Civic Voice has highlighted how ‘hundreds of conservation areas mark their 50th anniversary’ in 2019, as it continues its Big Conservation Conversation.
Launch of a new strategic framework for heritage science in the UK: 2018-2023
A new strategic framework for heritage science in the UK has been launched.
Planning Awards 2019 open - deadline 24 Jan
The 2019 Planning Awards have been launched, with categories including an award for ‘best use of heritage in placemaking’ among 25 linked categories.