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Trompe-L’œil

Trompe-l’œil is a French term that means “trick the eye.”

It refers to a style of art that uses realistic depictions of three-dimensional objects to create the illusion of depth and a life-like appearance.

Trompe-l’œil paintings and murals are often used to create the illusion of an extended space or to make a room appear larger than it actually is.

How does the Trompe-L’œil work?
Versions of Trompe-L’œil
Illusions like Trompe-L’œil
Discovery of Trompe-L’œil
References and Resources

How does Trompe-L’œil work?

Trompe-l’œil works by creating the illusion of three-dimensional objects and space on a flat surface. The artist uses techniques such as perspective, shading, and texturing to create a highly realistic representation of the objects and to create the illusion of depth.

The techniques used in Trompe-l’œil take advantage of the way that the human visual system processes images. Our brains use cues such as size, shading, and perspective to determine the distance and depth of objects in our visual field. In Trompe-l’œil, the artist carefully manipulates these cues to create the illusion of depth and to make the objects appear to be physically present.

For example, in a Trompe-l’œil painting, the artist might use linear perspective to create the illusion of receding space. Objects that are closer to the viewer will appear larger, while objects that are further away will appear smaller. The artist will also use shading and texturing to create the illusion of depth and to make the objects appear more lifelike.

Trompe-l’œil works by tricking the brain into perceiving the two-dimensional image as a three-dimensional object, creating an illusion that is both fascinating and convincing. This is why Trompe-l’œil remains one of the most popular forms of visual illusion, and why it continues to be used today in various forms of art and design.

The technique of Trompe-l’œil has a long history, dating back to ancient Greece and Rome, and has been used throughout the centuries in various forms of art, including painting, sculpture, and architecture. In Trompe-l’œil, the artist uses a variety of techniques, such as perspective, shading, and texturing, to create the illusion of depth and to make the objects appear to be physically present.

Trompe-l’œil is often used in interior design, particularly for creating the illusion of an extended space or for creating a decorative feature on a wall or ceiling. It is also used in theatrical design, where it can be used to create the illusion of a larger stage or to create a realistic backdrop.

Trompe-l’œil is a popular art form that continues to be used today, and it remains one of the most fascinating and intriguing forms of visual illusion.

Versions of Trompe-L’œil

The following are some examples of Trompe-L’œil

Illusions like Trompe-L’œil

Trompe-l’œil is a type of optical illusion that creates the illusion of three-dimensional objects and space on a flat surface.

It falls under the category of visual perception illusions, which manipulate the way that the brain processes images to create an illusion that is different from reality. Trompe-l’œil is unique in that it uses realistic depictions of three-dimensional objects to create a highly convincing illusion of depth and physical presence.

Trompe-l’œil is often considered a form of representational art, as it creates a representation of three-dimensional objects. However, it is also a form of illusion, as the objects are not actually present in physical space, but are instead a two-dimensional representation that tricks the brain into perceiving them as three-dimensional.

Overall, Trompe-l’œil can be classified as a type of optical illusion, visual perception illusion, and representational art, depending on the context and the focus of the discussion.

Some similar illusions are as follows:

Forced perspective is a technique used in photography, architecture, and other visual arts to manipulate the perception of the size and distance of objects.

It creates the illusion of a larger or smaller object, or of one that is closer or farther away, by carefully controlling the angles, proportions, and placement of objects in the scene.

The Ponzo illusion is a type of visual illusion in which a pair of parallel lines, or a horizontal bar, appear to be of different lengths based on the presence of a converging or diverging set of lines, often resembling the converging parallel lines of a road or railway track, placed above and below them.

The Ebbinghaus illusion: This illusion is similar to the Delboeuf illusion but in this case the central circle appears larger when surrounded by smaller circles and smaller when surrounded by larger circles.

The Delboeuf illusion is a perceptual illusion in which the perceived size of a circle is affected by the size of the surrounding circles.

The Occlusion illusion is a visual illusion where an object that is partially obscured by another object appears to be farther away than it actually is. This illusion is caused by the brain’s interpretation of the relative depth of the objects based on their relative size and position. This phenomenon is based on the visual cues that the brain uses to perceive depth, such as relative size, position, and overlap.

The Müller-Lyer illusion is a classic example of size-contrast illusion, in which two lines of equal length appear to be different due to the presence of arrowheads or fins at the end of the lines.

The moon illusions involves the perception of the Moon appearing larger when it is near the horizon compared to when it is high in the sky.

The Kanizsa triangle is a visual illusion that was first described by the Italian psychologist Gaetano Kanizsa in 1955. The illusion consists of a white equilateral triangle that appears to be surrounded by three Pac-Man-like shapes, which are black and have white crescents facing inwards.

All these illusions demonstrate that the perceived size of an object can be influenced by the context in which it is presented, and that the brain uses the size of the surrounding objects as a reference point to judge the size of the central object.

Discovery of Trompe-L’œil

The exact origin of Trompe-l’œil as an art form is unclear, but it is thought to have been developed and popularized in ancient Greece and Rome. The technique was used in various forms throughout the centuries, and it was later adopted and refined by Renaissance artists in Italy.

It is difficult to attribute the discovery of Trompe-l’œil to a single individual, as the technique has a long history and has been used by many artists and cultures over the centuries. However, some of the most famous Trompe-l’œil artists from the Renaissance include Italian painters such as Andrea Pozzo, Giuseppe Maria Crespi, and Pietro da Cortona. These artists used Trompe-l’œil to create highly realistic murals and frescoes that adorned the ceilings and walls of churches, palaces, and private residences.

Overall, while no one person can be credited with discovering Trompe-l’œil, the art form has a rich and fascinating history that has been shaped and influenced by many artists and cultures over the centuries.

References and Resources

Check out our complete list of illusions.

Thaumatrope

A Thaumatrope is a simple optical toy that was popular in the 19th century.

It consists of a disk with a picture or design on each side that is attached to two strings. When the strings are spun rapidly, the two pictures appear to merge into a single, continuous image.

How does a Thaumatrope work?
Versions of the Thaumatrope
Illusions like the Thaumatrope
Discovery of the Thaumatrope
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How does a Thaumatrope work?

The Thaumatrope works by exploiting the persistence of vision, which is the phenomenon where the brain continues to perceive an image for a short period of time after it has been removed from view.

When the Thaumatrope is spun rapidly, the two pictures are presented to the eye in quick succession, creating the illusion that they have combined into a single image.

The Thaumatrope was one of the earliest optical toys and helped to demonstrate the principles of persistence of vision and the way that our visual system processes information over time.

Today, it is still used as a demonstration tool in educational settings to help explain the science of vision and visual perception.

Versions of a Thaumatrope

The following are a few an alternates versions Thaumatropes.

Illusions like the Thaumatrope

The Thaumatrope works by exploiting the persistence of vision, which is the phenomenon where the brain continues to perceive an image for a short period of time after it has been removed from view.

Persistence of vision is a phenomenon where the brain continues to perceive an image for a short period of time after it has been removed from view. This is due to the fact that the neurons in the visual system take a brief amount of time to process an image before they reset. As a result, if an image is presented rapidly enough, the brain will perceive a continuous image even though the individual images are no longer present.

For example, when watching a movie or animation, the individual frames are presented in rapid succession, creating the illusion of continuous motion. This is because the brain perceives the brief interval between each frame as a single, continuous image.

The persistence of vision phenomenon is important in many areas of visual perception, including motion perception, the perception of images in sequence, and the experience of visual illusions such as the Thaumatrope.

Understanding the persistence of vision is essential for explaining the way that our visual system processes information and shapes our perception of the world around us.

Some related illusions include the following:

The Stepping Feet Illusion is a visual illusion that involves an optical illusion of the apparent movement of a static image.

The kinetic depth effect refers to the perception of three-dimensional (3D) depth and solidity in an object that is produced by its motion, relative to the observer.

The spinning dancer illusion is a visual illusion that depicts a silhouette of a dancer spinning clockwise or counterclockwise. The direction of the dancer’s spin can appear to change depending on the viewer’s perception.

The beta movement illusion is a visual illusion in which a series of static images, such as a filmstrip or flipbook, appears to be in motion when viewed in rapid succession.

In Peripheral Drift illusions, the image or pattern appears to move or drift, even though it is actually stationary. This movement is caused by the brain’s attempt to interpret the image or pattern, which is often complex or ambiguous. The movement can be in any direction, such as horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

Peripheral drift illusion jelly bean — From Wikimedia Commons

The rotating snakes is a peripheral drift illusion that consists of a grid of shapes, with some of them appearing to be rotating or undulating. The illusion is created by the interaction of the shapes with the neural processing of the visual system.

Rotating Snakes Autokinetic effect — A Version of Rotating Snakes

With Illusory motion, static image appears to be moving due to the interaction of color contrasts, shapes, and position

Troxler’s fading, also known as Troxler’s effect, is a phenomenon in which a stationary visual stimulus eventually disappears from perception, even though it is still present in the visual field.

The stroboscopic effect is a visual phenomenon that occurs when a rapidly flashing light is used to illuminate a moving object.

The object appears to be frozen in a single position, even though it is in motion. This is because the flashing light is only on for a brief period of time, and the object is only visible when the light is on.

The Scintillating Grid Illusion, in which a grid of black and white squares appears to pulsate or “breathe” when viewed from the periphery of the image.

The Motion Aftereffect (also known as the Waterfall Illusion) is a visual illusion experienced after viewing a moving visual stimulus, and then fixating on a stationary stimulus. The stationary stimulus appears to move in the opposite direction to the original stimulus.

For example, fixate on the moving image below for several seconds, then shift you gaze to another surface like a plain wall. You should still be able to see the motion on the static surface.

The Café Wall Illusion is a visual illusion that is created by a grid of alternating light and dark horizontal and vertical lines. The lines appear to be bent or tilted, even though they are actually straight.

Discovery of the Thaumatrope

The exact origin of the Thaumatrope is uncertain, but it is generally credited to the English physician and scientist John Ayrton Paris in the early 19th century. Paris was a contemporary of other early experimenters in the field of optics, such as Joseph Plateau and Simon von Stampfer, who were exploring the principles of persistence of vision and the perception of motion.

John Ayrton Paris was an English physician and scientist who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was best known for his work in the field of optics and his invention of the Thaumatrope, an early optical toy that demonstrated the principles of persistence of vision.

Paris was born in London in 1785 and received his medical training at the University of Edinburgh. He worked as a physician for several years before turning his attention to scientific research, particularly in the field of optics.

In addition to his work on the Thaumatrope, Paris made other important contributions to the field of optics, including the study of color perception and the analysis of the visual system. He was widely respected for his work and was a member of several scientific societies, including the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Society of London.

Today, Paris is remembered as an important early experimenter in the field of optics and one of the pioneers of visual perception research.

Paris’s Thaumatrope was a simple and inexpensive device that demonstrated the principles of persistence of vision and helped to popularize the study of visual perception. The Thaumatrope quickly became popular and was widely used as a demonstration tool in educational settings and for entertainment.

Today, the Thaumatrope is still remembered as one of the earliest optical toys and is considered an important milestone in the history of visual perception and the study of the science of vision.

References and Resources

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Ternus Illusion

It involves the perception of rapid successive presentation of a sequence of three disks as a single, moving object.

The illusory effect is created by the close proximity and rapid succession of the disks, which leads to the perception of a single, continuous object in motion.

This illusion highlights the importance of the temporal aspects of vision in shaping our perceptions of the world around us.

How does the Ternus Illusion work?
Versions of the Ternus Illusion
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Discovery of the Ternus Illusion
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How does the Ternus Illusion work?

The Ternus illusion works by exploiting the way our visual system processes information over time.

When the three disks are presented rapidly in succession, the visual system integrates the information from each disk into a single, continuous object in motion.

This is because our visual system has a tendency to perceive smooth, continuous movement, even when the visual input is actually a series of discrete elements.

The effect is enhanced when the disks are close together and when the duration of their presentation is short, as this makes it more difficult for the visual system to process each disk as a separate, stationary object. T

he rapid presentation of the disks creates a temporal gap between their individual presentations, which is bridged by the visual system’s interpretation of a continuous object in motion.

In short, the Ternus illusion works by taking advantage of the visual system’s processing of temporal information, and the tendency to perceive smooth, continuous movement.

Versions of Ternus Illusion

The following is an alternate version of the Ternus Illusion with a slightly different speed. The second image shows both frames of the Ternus illusion simultaneously.

Illusions like the Ternus Illusion

The Ternus illusion is a motion illusion. It involves the perception of a single, continuous object in motion, even though the visual input is actually a sequence of three stationary disks presented rapidly in succession.

The illusion highlights the importance of the temporal aspects of vision in shaping our perceptions of the world around us and demonstrates how our visual system can create the perception of motion from rapidly presented, discrete elements.

Motion illusions are visual illusions that involve the perception of motion, when there is none or when the perceived motion is different from the actual motion.

Motion illusions can be created by a number of factors, such as changes in an object’s position over time, the interaction of moving stimuli with the visual field, or by conflicting depth cues.

These illusions demonstrate the brain’s ability to interpret motion and depth based on visual input, and the ways in which these processes can be influenced by the visual environment.

Some related illusions include the following:

The Stepping Feet Illusion is a visual illusion that involves an optical illusion of the apparent movement of a static image.

The kinetic depth effect refers to the perception of three-dimensional (3D) depth and solidity in an object that is produced by its motion, relative to the observer.

The beta movement illusion is a visual illusion in which a series of static images, such as a filmstrip or flipbook, appears to be in motion when viewed in rapid succession.

With Illusory motion, static image appears to be moving due to the interaction of color contrasts, shapes, and position

Troxler’s fading, also known as Troxler’s effect, is a phenomenon in which a stationary visual stimulus eventually disappears from perception, even though it is still present in the visual field.

The stroboscopic effect is a visual phenomenon that occurs when a rapidly flashing light is used to illuminate a moving object.

The Scintillating Grid Illusion, in which a grid of black and white squares appears to pulsate or “breathe” when viewed from the periphery of the image.

For example, fixate on the moving image below for several seconds, then shift you gaze to another surface like a plain wall. You should still be able to see the motion on the static surface.

Discovery of the Ternus Illusion

The Ternus illusion is a visual illusion that was first described by the psychologist Paul Ternus in 1926.

Paul Ternus was a psychologist and a pioneer in the field of visual perception. He was born in Austria in 1883 and was best known for his work on visual illusions, including the Ternus illusion, which was named after him.

Ternus conducted a number of studies on visual perception, including the perception of motion and the integration of information over time. His work helped to establish the importance of temporal aspects of vision and laid the foundation for the study of motion perception in modern psychology.

In addition to his research, Ternus was also a talented teacher and was highly regarded by his students and colleagues. He made significant contributions to the field of psychology and is remembered today as one of the pioneers of visual perception research.

References and Resources

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Stepping Feet Illusion

The “Stepping Feet Illusion” is a visual illusion that involves an optical illusion of the apparent movement of a static image.

In this illusion, a static image of a row of footprints appears to move in a rhythmic, stepping pattern when viewed for an extended period of time.

The “Stepping Feet Illusion” is thought to occur because of the way the visual system processes motion information. When a static image is viewed for an extended period of time, the visual system begins to adapt and becomes more sensitive to small changes in the image. This sensitivity to change can cause the visual system to perceive motion where there is none, resulting in the apparent movement of the image.

How does the Stepping Feet Illusion work?
Versions of the Stepping Feet Illusion
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How does the Stepping Feet Illusion work?

The “Stepping Feet Illusion” works by exploiting the way the visual system processes motion information. The visual system is constantly receiving information about the world from the eyes, and it uses this information to form a coherent perception of the world. One of the key ways the visual system does this is by detecting motion, which helps us to track the movements of objects and people in the environment.

In the case of the “Stepping Feet Illusion,” a static image of a row of footprints is presented, and the visual system begins to process this information as if it were a moving image. Over time, the visual system becomes more sensitive to small changes in the image, and this sensitivity can cause the visual system to perceive motion where there is none. As a result, the image of the footprints appears to move in a rhythmic, stepping pattern.

The “Stepping Feet Illusion” is thought to occur because the visual system is using previous experiences and expectations to make predictions about what it will see next. When the image remains unchanged for an extended period of time, the visual system begins to make incorrect predictions, which can result in the apparent movement of the image.

Overall, the “Stepping Feet Illusion” works by exploiting the way the visual system processes motion information, and it highlights the importance of the visual system’s ability to use previous experiences and expectations to make predictions about what it will see next.

Versions of Stepping Feet Illusion

The following is an alternate version of the Stepping Feet Illusion:

Illusions like the Stepping Feet Illusion

The “Stepping Feet Illusion” is similar to other optical illusions that involve the apparent movement of static images. These illusions demonstrate the complex and dynamic nature of visual perception and highlight the importance of the visual system’s ability to process and integrate information from multiple sources to form a coherent perception of the world.

Motion illusions are visual illusions that involve the perception of motion, when there is none or when the perceived motion is different from the actual motion.

Motion illusions can be created by a number of factors, such as changes in an object’s position over time, the interaction of moving stimuli with the visual field, or by conflicting depth cues.

These illusions demonstrate the brain’s ability to interpret motion and depth based on visual input, and the ways in which these processes can be influenced by the visual environment.

Some related illusions include the following:

The kinetic depth effect refers to the perception of three-dimensional (3D) depth and solidity in an object that is produced by its motion, relative to the observer.

The beta movement illusion is a visual illusion in which a series of static images, such as a filmstrip or flipbook, appears to be in motion when viewed in rapid succession.

With Illusory motion, static image appears to be moving due to the interaction of color contrasts, shapes, and position

Troxler’s fading, also known as Troxler’s effect, is a phenomenon in which a stationary visual stimulus eventually disappears from perception, even though it is still present in the visual field.

The stroboscopic effect is a visual phenomenon that occurs when a rapidly flashing light is used to illuminate a moving object.

The Scintillating Grid Illusion, in which a grid of black and white squares appears to pulsate or “breathe” when viewed from the periphery of the image.

For example, fixate on the moving image below for several seconds, then shift you gaze to another surface like a plain wall. You should still be able to see the motion on the static surface.

Discovery of the Stepping Feet Illusion

The origin of the “Stepping Feet Illusion” is not clear, and it is likely that it was discovered by multiple people independently. This is a common phenomenon in the field of illusions, as many illusions have been discovered and studied by multiple researchers over time.

As a result, it is difficult to attribute the discovery of the “Stepping Feet Illusion” to a single individual. However, the illusion has been well-studied by researchers in the field of vision science and psychology, who have used it to better understand the complex and dynamic nature of visual perception.

The stepping feet illusion was clearly demonstrated by Stuart Anstis in 2003.

Stuart Anstis is a psychologist and vision scientist who has made significant contributions to the field of visual perception. He is particularly well-known for his research on the perception of color and for his studies of various optical illusions, including the “Muller-Lyer Illusion,” the “Fraser Spiral Illusion,” and the “Hering Illusion.”

Anstis has conducted extensive research on the neural and psychological mechanisms underlying visual perception, and his work has helped to advance our understanding of how the visual system processes and integrates information from multiple sources to form a coherent perception of the world.

Throughout his career, Anstis has been recognized for his contributions to the field of vision science, and he has received numerous awards and honors for his work. He is currently a Professor Emeritus at the University of California, San Diego, where he has conducted research and taught for many years

References and Resources

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Size-Weight Illusion

The “Size-Weight Illusion” is a perceptual phenomenon in which people perceive an object to be heavier when it is larger in size, even when the objects actually have the same weight.

This illusion occurs because our perceptions of size and weight are closely linked in our brain, and our expectations about the weight of an object are influenced by its size.

The Size-Weight Illusion, sometimes called the Charpentier illusion or the De Moor’s illusion, is thought to arise from the way our brain integrates sensory information from our hands, eyes, and other sources to form a coherent perception of the weight of an object. This information is then used to guide our actions and movements, such as lifting and carrying objects.

The “Size-Weight Illusion” has been extensively studied in the field of psychology and has been shown to be a robust phenomenon, occurring across a wide range of ages, cultures, and populations. It has practical implications in areas such as product design and ergonomics, where it is important to take into account the perception of size and weight when designing objects for human use.

How does the Size-Weight Illusion work?
Versions of the Size-Weight Illusion
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Discovery of the Size-Weight Illusion
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How does the Size-Weight Illusion work?

The “Size-Weight Illusion” works by exploiting the close relationship between our perceptions of size and weight in the brain. The human brain integrates information from various sources, including touch and vision, to form a coherent perception of the weight of an object. When an object is larger in size, our brain unconsciously expects it to be heavier, and this expectation influences our perception of its weight.

The exact neural mechanisms underlying the “Size-Weight Illusion” are not completely understood, but some theories suggest that it may involve the activity of specialized brain regions that are responsible for processing information about object size, weight, and texture. These regions of the brain are thought to work together to generate a coherent perception of the weight of an object, and they may be influenced by factors such as past experience, expectations, and attention.

In summary, the “Size-Weight Illusion” works by exploiting the close relationship between our perceptions of size and weight in the brain, and by influencing our expectations about the weight of an object based on its size. This illusion demonstrates the complex and interrelated nature of our sensory experiences, and highlights the importance of the brain’s ability to integrate and process information from multiple sources to form a coherent perception of the world.

Versions of the Size-Weight Illusion

The following is an alternative Size-Weight Illusion example:

Illusions like the Size-Weight Illusion

The “Size-Weight Illusion” is a type of perceptual illusion. Perceptual illusions are instances in which our perceptions of the world around us are in conflict with the physical reality of the stimuli. In the case of the “Size-Weight Illusion,” our perception of the weight of an object is not in line with its actual weight, but is influenced by its size.

Perceptual illusions provide important insights into the workings of the human brain and how it processes sensory information to form our perceptions of the world. They demonstrate the complexity and interrelated nature of our sensory experiences and highlight the importance of the brain’s ability to integrate and process information from multiple sources to form a coherent perception of the world.

Overall, the “Size-Weight Illusion” is a type of perceptual illusion that demonstrates the close relationship between our perceptions of size and weight and highlights the importance of the brain’s ability to integrate and process information from multiple sources to form a coherent perception of the world.

Some related illusions include the following:

The missing square puzzle is a visual illusion that involves a square with a smaller square removed from one of its corners.

The puzzle is presented in such a way that the surrounding rectangles appear to be the same size, but when the lines of the squares are measured, it becomes clear that they are not.

The missing square puzzle is used to demonstrate the importance of context in visual perception and how our brain can be easily fooled into perceiving something that is not actually true.

Illusory contours are created by the brain’s interpretation of visual information, such as the arrangement and contrast of lines and shapes in the visual field.

Kanizsa Triangle Illusion — The Kanizsa Triangle

The Muller-Lyer illusion: an illusion in which two lines of the same length appear to be of different lengths due to the presence of arrowheads at the ends of the lines.

The Poggendorff illusion: an illusion in which two lines that are parallel in reality appear to be skewed or converging due to the presence of a third shape in the foreground.

Poggendorff illusion transparent gray bar

The Café Wall illusion: an illusion in which the lines that form a tiled wall appear to be skewed or distorted due to the presence of contrasting colored tiles.

The Zöllner illusion: an illusion in which parallel lines appear to be skewed or converging due to the presence of intersecting lines at an angle.

The Ebbinghaus illusion: This illusion involves circles of different sizes, but with the same-sized circles placed close to each other. The brain perceives the smaller circles as being larger when they are placed next to larger circles.

The T illusion: This illusion involves a T-shaped figure with a horizontal bar and a vertical bar. The brain perceives the vertical bar as being longer than the horizontal bar, even though they are the same length.

Moon illusion: This illusion involves the perception of the Moon appearing larger when it is near the horizon compared to when it is high in the sky.

Ponzo illusion: This illusion involves the perception of an object appearing larger or smaller depending on the size of the surrounding context.

All these illusions work by exploiting the way the brain processes visual information and the way it interprets the relationship between different elements in an image. Illusory contours are thought to be created by the activity of neurons that respond selectively to edges and contours in the visual field, which can be influenced by different visual cues.

Discovery of the Size-Weight Illusion

The “Size-Weight Illusion” was first documented by a psychologist named Ernst Heinrich Weber in the late 18th century. Weber was one of the earliest researchers to systematically study the relationship between size, weight, and perceived weight, and his work laid the foundation for the modern field of psychophysics.

In his experiments, Weber asked participants to judge the weight of objects of different sizes and found that larger objects were consistently rated as being heavier than smaller objects of the same weight. This observation led him to conclude that there was a close relationship between size and perceived weight and that this relationship was influenced by expectations and previous experiences.

Since Weber’s original observations, the “Size-Weight Illusion” has been extensively studied and replicated by researchers in the fields of psychology and neuroscience. Today, it is considered a well-established phenomenon and is widely recognized as a classic example of a perceptual illusion.

The illusion is sometimes called the Charpentier illusion, after the French physician Augustin Charpentier because he was the first to demonstrate the illusion experimentally. It is also called De Moor’s illusion, after Belgian physician Jean Demoor.

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Silencing

Silencing is a visual phenomenon where objects that change in luminance, hue, size, or shape appear to stop changing when they move. They “freeze” in place.

This illusion can be created through various means, such as flashing lights, or rapidly moving a stimulus back and forth.

How does Silencing work?
Versions of Silencing
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How does Silencing work?

The Silencing Illusion works by exploiting the way our visual system processes motion.

Our visual system is sensitive to the rate at which an object changes position, and it tends to perceive objects as “stopped” or “frozen” when the rate of change in their position slows down or it can only handle so many sensory inputs at once, quieting or silencing some while others dominate.

Versions of Silencing

The following is a video that demonstrates Silencing:

Illusions like Silencing

The following are some illusions that are related to Silencing

Troxler’s fading, is a phenomenon in which a stationary visual stimulus eventually disappears from perception, even though it is still present in the visual field.

This occurs because the human visual system adapts to constant stimuli and eventually stops responding to them.

The Phi phenomenon is the illusion of movement created by the rapid succession of static images or light sources.

It is the perceptual phenomenon that explains how the human brain perceives motion when presented with a sequence of still images or light sources that are displayed in rapid succession.

Magni-phi-phenomonon. — From Wikimedia Commons

The Rotating Snakes is a peripheral drift illusion that consists of a grid of shapes, with some of them appearing to be rotating or undulating. The illusion is created by the interaction of the shapes with the neural processing of the visual system.

The Moiré pattern illusion: This illusion is created by superimposing two similar patterns on top of each other, such as a grid of lines or circles. The resulting pattern appears to be moving or changing.

The Scintillating Grid Illusion, in which a grid of black and white squares appears to pulsate or “breathe” when viewed from the periphery of the image.

The Hermann Grid Illusion, in which the intersections of a white grid on a black background appear to be gray, even though they are actually the same color as the background.

The Zöllner Illusion, in which parallel lines appear to be tilted or bent when intersected by diagonal lines.

The Fraser Spiral Illusion, in which a pattern of short, curved lines appears to form a spiral.

The Hering Illusion, in which two straight lines appear to be curved due to the presence of surrounding lines.

These illusions are usually caused by the way our eyes process visual information and the way the brain interprets it. They can also be caused by the interaction of different visual elements, such as lines and angles, in the image. They are often used in research on visual perception and the neural basis of perception.

Discovery of Silencing

t was discovered by Jordan Suchow and George Alvarez.

Jordan Suchow is an Associate Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Dartmouth College. He is a researcher in the field of vision science and his research focuses on the perception of motion and the neural mechanisms underlying visual processing.

Dr. Suchow’s work has contributed to our understanding of how the brain processes visual information and how different aspects of visual processing, such as attention and prediction, influence the perception of motion. He has published several research papers in prestigious journals, and he has received numerous awards and grants for his work.

Overall, Dr. Jordan Suchow is a well-respected researcher in the field of vision science, and his work has helped to advance our understanding of how we perceive the world around us.

George A. Alvarez is an Associate Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Harvard University. He is a researcher in the field of cognitive neuroscience and his research focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying visual perception and attention.

Dr. Alvarez’s work has made important contributions to our understanding of how the brain processes visual information, including the role of attention in shaping our perceptions of the world. He has published numerous research papers in prestigious journals and has received numerous awards and grants for his work.

Overall, Dr. George A. Alvarez is a well-respected researcher in the field of cognitive neuroscience, and his work has helped to advance our understanding of how the brain processes visual information and shapes our perceptions of the world.

References and Resources

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Anamorphic Street Art

Anamorphic street art is a form of street art that uses optical illusion to create a three-dimensional image when viewed from a specific angle.

Anamorphic street art is often created by distorting the image, so that when it is viewed from a specific viewpoint, the image appears to be three-dimensional and in full perspective.

It is often seen as a way of transforming urban spaces into playful, interactive environments.

How does Anamorphic Street Art work?
Versions of Anamorphic Street Art
Illusions like Anamorphic Street Art
Discovery of Anamorphic Street Art
References and Resources
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How does Anamorphic Street Art?

Anamorphic street art works by manipulating the way our eyes perceive the image.

The artist distorts the image in such a way that it appears to be in the correct perspective when viewed from a specific viewpoint, typically at a specific angle or from a certain distance.

The use of perspective and forced-perspective techniques tricks the viewer’s eye into perceiving a three-dimensional image where there is actually only a flat surface.

The result is an optical illusion that creates the illusion of depth and volume, making the image appear to pop out of the wall or floor.

To create an anamorphic street art piece, the artist needs to carefully plan the placement of the artwork and the viewpoint from which it will be viewed to ensure the illusion is successful.

Versions of Anamorphic Street Art

The following are other examples of Anamorphic Street Art

Illusions like Anamorphic Street Art

Anamorphic Street Art are a form of stereograms, which are images that use the difference between the left and right eye views to create the illusion of depth and 3D objects.

Anamorphic street art is a type of perspective illusion that creates the illusion of a three-dimensional image on a two-dimensional surface by manipulating the way our eyes perceive the image.

The image is distorted in such a way that when viewed from a specific angle or distance, it appears to be in correct perspective and the illusion of depth and volume is created.

The illusion is achieved by using techniques such as forced perspective and manipulation of perspective, which trick the viewer’s eye into perceiving the image as three-dimensional.

Some related illusions include the following:

An autostereogram is a type of image that appears to be a flat 2D image when viewed normally, but when viewed with a special technique, it appears to be a 3D image with depth and perspective.

Autostereograms are created by repeating a pattern of repeating elements, such as random dots, in such a way that the repeating elements at different depths in the image align with each other when viewed with the special technique. This creates the illusion of a 3D image.

The image below appears as a 2 dimensional flat image, but when viewed using one of the techniques mentioned below, a 3 dimensional shape appears.

Phantograms are 3D images that appear to float in space and can be viewed without special glasses or other aids. The term “Phantogram” is derived from the Greek words “phaneros,” meaning “visible,” and “gramma,” meaning “something written or drawn.”

Phantograms are created by taking two photos of an object from slightly different angles and then printing the images on a flat surface, such as a piece of paper or card. The two images are then viewed together, and the slight differences in perspective create the illusion of depth and the appearance of a floating 3D object.

Persistence of vision is the phenomenon by which the brain continues to perceive an image even after the image is no longer present.

This occurs because the cells in the retina, called rods and cones, take a brief period of time to “reset” after being stimulated.

A color constancy illusion is a type of visual illusion in which a color appears to be different when viewed in different contexts.

For example, the same patch of color may appear lighter or darker when viewed against different backgrounds, or may appear to change color when viewed under different lighting conditions.

The afterimage illusion is a type of visual illusion in which an image continues to appear in the observer’s visual field after the original stimulus has been removed.

This can occur due to the persistence of neural activity in the visual system, and can take the form of a positive afterimage (an image that is the same color as the original stimulus) or a negative afterimage (an image that is the opposite color of the original stimulus).

The Checker Shadow Illusion is created by a checkerboard pattern composed of squares with different luminance values, the squares that are not directly illuminated by the light source appear darker than the illuminated squares, creating the illusion of shadows.

Edelson-Checker_shadow_illusion — Checker Shadow Illusion

The simultaneous contrast illusion is a visual effect that occurs when the perception of a color is affected by the colors of the surrounding area.

The illusion creates the appearance of a change in the color of an object, even though the actual color of the object remains constant.

Simultaneous Contrast Effect — The center green dot is the same on both sides, but the surrounding color changes the perception

The Neon Color Spreading illusion refers to the visual phenomenon where an area of color appears to spread or “bleed” beyond its intended boundaries.

The Bezold Effect: This illusion is created by placing two or more colors next to each other, and the way they appear to change when they are close to one another.

The Cornsweet illusion is a classic example of a brightness illusion, which is an illusion in which two areas that are physically the same brightness appear to be different in brightness.

The Chubb illusion is based on the perception of brightness and can be observed when a small bright patch is surrounded by a larger dark area, the small bright patch will appear brighter than the same patch surrounded by a bright area.

White’s illusion is a visual phenomenon in which two identical gray bars are placed on a background of alternating black and white stripes.

The gray bars appear to be different shades of gray, with the one on the white stripes appearing lighter than the one on the black stripes.

In the image below, both gray bars have the exact same color.

The Watercolor Illusion: This illusion is created by the way the brain perceives edges of an object. When an object is surrounded by a colored halo, the object appears to have a different color than it actually does.

Discovery of Anamorphic Street Art

The origin of anamorphic street art is not well documented, and it’s unclear who created the first piece of anamorphic street art.

However, the use of anamorphosis in art dates back to the Renaissance, where artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Albrecht Dürer used the technique to create illusions of depth in their drawings and paintings.

In the modern era, street artists around the world have been inspired by these earlier techniques and have started incorporating anamorphic illusions into their street art, turning urban spaces into interactive, playful environments.

Some well-known street artists who have used anamorphic techniques in their work include Eduardo Sanson, Eduardo Relero, and Felipe Pantone, among others.

References and Resources

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Phantograms

Phantograms can be created using specialized software or by hand and can be viewed by simply holding the printed image at the correct angle and looking at it with both eyes. They have been used in a variety of applications, including art, advertising, and education.

3D street art is one of the most well known types of Phantogram. Both 3D street art and Phantograms use the principle of perspective to create the illusion of depth and a three-dimensional appearance. 3D street art, also known as anamorphic street art, is created by painting an image on a flat surface in such a way that it appears to be three-dimensional when viewed from a specific angle.

How do Phantograms work?
Versions of Phantograms
Illusions like Phantograms
Discovery of Phantograms
References and Resources
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How do Phantograms work?

Phantograms are 2D images that create the illusion of a 3D object or scene when viewed from a specific angle.

They work by manipulating the spatial relationship between the foreground and background elements in an image.

The foreground elements are arranged to converge towards a vanishing point and are distorted to give the illusion of depth, while the background elements are left undistorted.

When viewed from the intended angle, the image appears to pop out from the flat surface.

The effect is created by the interaction between the visual information in the image and the brain’s perception of depth and perspective.

Versions of the Phantograms

The following are other examples of Phantograms including a few 3D street examples and a classic image of a phantogram with chess pieces.

Illusions like Phantograms

Phantograms are a form of stereograms, which are images that use the difference between the left and right eye views to create the illusion of depth and 3D objects. In other words, phantograms are a type of optical illusion that tricks the brain into perceiving a 2D image as a 3D scene.

Some related illusions include the following:

An autostereogram is a type of image that appears to be a flat 2D image when viewed normally, but when viewed with a special technique, it appears to be a 3D image with depth and perspective.

The image below appears as a 2 dimensional flat image, but when viewed using one of the techniques mentioned below, a 3 dimensional shape appears.

Persistence of vision is the phenomenon by which the brain continues to perceive an image even after the image is no longer present.

This occurs because the cells in the retina, called rods and cones, take a brief period of time to “reset” after being stimulated.

A color constancy illusion is a type of visual illusion in which a color appears to be different when viewed in different contexts.

For example, the same patch of color may appear lighter or darker when viewed against different backgrounds, or may appear to change color when viewed under different lighting conditions.

The afterimage illusion is a type of visual illusion in which an image continues to appear in the observer’s visual field after the original stimulus has been removed.