History in Trompe-l'œil
Although
the phrase has its origin in the Baroque period, when it refers to perspectival
illusionism, use of trompe-l'œil dates back much further. It was (and is) often
employed in
murals. Instances from
Greek and Roman times are known, for instance in Pompeii. A typical trompe-l'œil
mural might depict a window, door, or hallway, intended to suggest a larger
room.
A version of an oft-told
ancient Greek story concerns a contest between two renowned painters. Zeuxis
produced a still life painting so convincing, that birds flew down from the sky
to peck at the painted grapes. He was then asked by his rival, Parrhasius, to
pull back a pair of very tattered curtains in order to see the painting behind
them. Parrhasius won the contest, as his painting was the curtains themselves.
With the superior
understanding of perspective drawing achieved in the Renaissance, Italian
painters of the late Quattrocento such as Andrea Mantegna and Melozzo da Forlì
began painting illusionistic ceiling paintings, generally in fresco, that
employed perspective and techniques such as foreshortening in order to give the
impression of greater space to the viewer below. This type of trompe l'œil
illusionism as specifically applied to ceiling paintings is known as di sotto
in sù, meaning from below, upward in Italian. The elements above the
viewer are rendered as if viewed from true vanishing point perspective.
Well-known examples are the Camera degli Sposi in Mantua and Antonio da
Correggio's Assumption of the Virgin in the Duomo of Parma.
Similarly, Vittorio
Carpaccio and Jacopo de' Barbari, added small trompe-l'œil features to their
paintings, playfully exploring the boundary between image and reality. For
example, a fly might appear to be sitting on the painting's frame, or a curtain
might appear to partly conceal the painting, a piece of paper might appear to be
attached to a board, or a person might appear to be climbing out of the painting
altogether—all in reference to Zeuxis and Parrhasius.
Wall murals
are a quick, affordable and easy to
install solution for decorating. A
wall sized mural gives a room
special atmosphere and the feeling
of expanded space. Whether they are
scenic or whimsical, Large Murals,
Half-Wall Murals, Door Murals and
Poster Murals can add drama and
interest to any room in your home,
or office!! Our highly detailed wall
murals emphasize this illusion by
using digital imaging and artistic
lithographic printing. Wall murals
have become the most popular and
affordable way to decorate. As a
major wallpaper retailer, our
purchasing power allows us to pass
on up to 85% savings.
Create your own
scenic outdoor landscape with your
choice of our beautiful wall murals.
They're the perfect solution to the room
with no view. Each of our large wall
murals gives you an expansive view
that'll make you feel as though you've
traveled miles and found the serenity of
the great outdoors. Each comes in
separate, easy to install panels.
Install by simply pasting and smoothing
like wallpaper.
