A style of painting that uses realistic imagery to create the optical illusion that depicted objects exist in three dimensions.

Origin: The term 'trompe-l'œil' is French, directly translating to 'deceive the eye'. It originated from the Old French 'tromper' meaning 'to deceive' and 'l'œil' meaning 'the eye'. The concept can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman art.Historical and Cultural Context: This art technique was first documented in the works of ancient Greek painters like Zeuxis and Parrhasius, who were famous for their ability to create lifelike images. The term itself became popular in the Baroque period of the 17th century in France.Evolution: While the concept remained relatively unchanged, the term 'trompe-l'œil' gained prominence in the art community during the Renaissance when artists like Andrea Mantegna and later, the Baroque painter Caravaggio, mastered the technique.Modern Relevance: Today, trompe-l'œil is not only a painting technique but is also used in architecture and interior design. It remains popular in street art and continues to fascinate viewers with its ability to blur the line between reality and illusion.

Trompe-l'œil techniques have been used in films to create forced perspective illusions, making objects appear larger or smaller than they actually are.