The Art of Illusion - Hardcover

by Florian Heine (Author)

Discover how artists have been tricking the human eye for centuries in this gorgeous and wide-ranging exploration of the art of illusion.

This spellbinding look at the history and development of illusionistic art reveals wide-ranging techniques that have piqued the public's fascination with this medium. Beautifully reproduced, the images featured in the book includes centuries-old work such as the scenery at the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, Italy, and the ceiling frescos at the W rzburg Residence in Germany, that showcase processes such as trompe l'oeil and anamorphosis. It also features work from the 20th and 21st centuries, including Ren Magritte's classic Surrealist works; M.C. Escher's magical and mathematically precise drawings; the seemingly undulating paintings of Bridget Riley; the manipulated photography of
Andreas Gursky; Duane Hanson's eerily lifelike sculptures; JR's larger-than-life portrait photographs; and Georges Rousse's mind-bending constructions. The book also has examples of amazing street art including subway graffiti and a sidewalk painting that makes pedestrians think twice. This extraordinary and informative guide to all kinds of artistic trickery will satisfy scholars as well as everyday fans.

Author Biography

FLORIAN HEINE is an arts editor, photographer, and author whose many books include 50 Contemporary Photographers You Should Know, Buildings that Revolutionized Architecture, and Photography: The Groundbreaking Moments (all by Prestel).