Trompe l’oeil, the finest example we’ve ever been privileged to see was in Montpellier, France. We were never meant to stay in Montpellier, but it proved to be a best of the best experience.
Montpelier, France
You know what they say about the best laid plans. Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. Add in Murphy’s Law and that is exactly how we landed in Montpellier. Montpellier was supposed to be just a stop over to switch trains on our way from Lyon to Seville. Instead, we spent four beautifully relaxing days in Montpellier and lucky us, we experienced the best example of Trompe l’oeil. We weren’t even looking for it, we just turned a corner while on one of our rambles and there it was.
Trompe l’oeil
Trompe l’oeil, to put it succinctly, is a style of art in which the painting or mural is an optical illusion. To look at the painting or mural one sees it as three dimensional. It tricks the eye in to a forced perspective created by the artist. It’s really quite fascinating.
When we turned the corner and came across an entire building (maybe two) painted in this style, it took our breath away. Actually, from a distance, we both did a double take not quite sure of what we were looking at.
Look closely at the details. The open door to the book store where you can see the books on the shelf. The woman peeking out from behind the drapes, as well as the man on the balcony with his palette, and his painting just inside the door. It was incredibly impressive and all kinds of fabulous!
Now, scroll back up to the large photo in which the building is at a distance, and see if you can find these details. It’s really something, isn’t it?
In this case we found ourselves giving a big shout out to old Mr. Murphy and his law. Had it not been for him we would have missed so much. Montpellier is one of our favorite travel memories, and it’s where we enjoyed one of our best ever meals. Maybe one day we’ll take a second look at Lyon, but not sure we want to jinx it!
- Tuesday Takes. Each post in the series focuses on one or two plus photos, or possibly a video, from our travels, as well as the background story behind the photo(s). Tuesday Takes are shared in random order with no rhyme or reason as to why.
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Love it. The ultimate street art. I think we saw something similar in Lisbon. But this is just truly amazing. I love when you have a lovely, unexpected experience. It can truly inspire you to take more risks and visit more places.
lissette hernandez recently posted…Visiting the Nerja Caves
It’s fantastic, isn’t it?! We walked around the corner, saw it, and our jaws dropped. Surreal. We had one of our best meals ever in Montpellier. We’d return just to enjoy it all again. 😉
Patti, I have learned something new with you today. I have seen it in places, but didn’t know what it was.
Sometimes a change of plans is the best thing.
Now, if I could only remember how to pronounce it! I forget every time. Ha! Ha!
I am endlessly fascinated by Trompe l’oeil. Your find is interesting as it is out in the street. I’m used to finding it on the ceilings and walls of ecclesiastical or public buildings. A few years ago, I accompanied Mr./Dr. Excitement to a Speakers’ Dinner for the European Respiratory Society in the painted Hall of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, England. While he discussed molecules or something with our table-mates, I wandered around marveling at all the things that looked 3D, but were actually painted. (One of his German colleagues saved me from leaving my black cardigan hanging on the back of my chair and thus having to enrich Chicos even further.)
Suzanne Fluhr recently posted…Hump Day Zentangle Challenge #32 – Best Laid Plans Edition
I think, Suzanne, it’s time for you to write that book, “Tales of a Black Cardigan”. Ha! Ha! Ha!