HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA.- The Huntsville Museum of Art presents Celebrating American Art - Trompe L’Oeil: The Art of Illusion, on view through November 20. Trompe L’Oeil is a very demanding art form dating back to ancient times and continues to fascinate people. In 19th-century America, this painting genre became extremely popular with the emergence of great practitioners. This exhibition brings together some of the leading Trompe L’Oeil artists in America today who have the great skill, virtuosity, imagination and patience for this art form. This exhibition is organized by Smith Kramer Fine Art Services, Kansas City, Mo.

The Museum invites you to put your eyes to the test with the exhibition Trompe L’Oeil: The Art of Illusion, on view through November 20. The exhibit features 65 paintings by 13 American artists.

The art of trompe l’oeil, a French term meaning “to fool the eye,” dates back to ancient Greece. It refers to paintings so realistic that they trick the viewer into thinking that the objects or scenes represented are real rather than painted. This technique demands exceptional skill on part of the artist and is very time-consuming.

Trompe l’oeil gained great popularity in America during the 19th century, thanks to artists like William Harnett. The realistic portrayal of items such as stamps, dollar bills, pipes, musical instruments, books, photographs, and newspapers startled and impressed viewers. Harnett’s realistic portrayal of money was so well done that he actually faced charges of counterfeiting.

“The appeal of painting trompe l’oeil artwork for me is the ‘wow factor’ that comes from creating seemingly three-dimensional objects within a two-dimensional painting space,” trompe l’oeil artist Larry Charles said. “I believe the objects can’t be just items that are pretty to paint; they must help tell a story or illustrate a theme so that the painting involves the viewer at many levels.”

A visit to Trompe L’Oeil, will leave you amazed by the talent of artists working in this intriguing art form. Trompe L’Oeil: The Art of Illusion is organized and circulated by Smith Kramer, Kansas City, Mo.