The Marmottan Museum, which celebrates its 90th birthday this year, has a new exhibition on the vast and fascinating topic of trompe-l’œil – the representation of the real in art.

And while the term trompe-l’œil was coined sometime around 1800, the art it describes existed many centuries previously, as the museum shows with over 80 examples on show, some rarely seen, others publicly displayed for the first time ever.

Created to fool the eye (tromper l’œil in French), the paintings in the exhibition Trompe-l’Œil, from 1520 to the present day will surely make you smile in admiration – some of the objects look so real they could almost be touched!

In a chronological presentation, the exhibition shows the beginnings of the movement in the 17th century, when it became very popular, the move toward still lifes in the 17th/18th centuries, and the link between architecture and trompe-l’œil, where painting to give the effect of a sculpted element, sometimes even with fake ageing to complete the effect.

You’ll then see how trompe-l’œil came back into fashion in the 19th century, and the presentation ends with contemporary paintings that look almost like photos, as well as some surprisingly real installations.

An English audioguide is available to rent (4€), giving more information on certain pieces, and French-speakers may also enjoy the official catalogue of the exhibition (280 pages, 35€) being published on 21st November 2024, which can be procured here at your local amazon.

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The exhibition Trompe-l’œil, from 1520 to the present day is at the Marmottan Museum (here) until 2nd March 2025

Open every day except Mondays from 10am-6pm (9pm Thursdays)

Admission: 14€ / 9€ / free for under-7s

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