Seeing is Deceiving

Seeing is Deceiving

09 August, 2010
by: Loredana

A Special Effect frenzy, 16th Century onwards...

Some people say that seeing is believing but as the 1929 book, Optical Illusions: Seeing may be Deceiving says, “You often don't see things that happen, or things that you see are not right. It may be the things that you see are at fault, but there's always a chance it's your sight.” Now I'm sure there's some sort of life lesson in there...

But we're not going to tell you what your mother ought to; no, instead we're going to take on a visual whirlwind of optical delights. This is for all you technology buffs, which is these days basically everyone, possibly even your nan, now that you can catch up with her on Facebook. Well nan, check it out because we have some truly baffling work that even pre-dates your gadgets.

Roll up, roll up, to gaze at the anamorphic, the trompe l'oeils, the distortions, the optical illusions. Here's a London trip to mess with your eyes.

Anamorphic Portrait of Edward IV
National Portrait Gallery

Wait before you cry, “I don't remember Edward having an extremely large nose and a big head in the history books!” Well even if you don't get that excited, viewed from head on Edward does have a rather misshapen profile, but viewed from the small eye-hole in the side of the glass case it's displayed in you'll see his profile leap out at you. Marvel at the masterful precision and mathematical insight needed to create an image like this. Like Toy Story 3 with no toys and extremely old 3D methods – and no glasses required.

Dummy Boards
V&A

If you've ever mistaken a mannequin for a person and got the shock of your life then these are for you. Dummy boards are life size wooden cut-outs that were used as a decorative joke. Around from the 1600s to the 1800s these 2D lovelies were placed at the bottom of stairways or in front of fireplaces in the summer to surprise visitors. Like those true-to-life dolls for lonely men, but obviously not with the same uses...

Optical Toy with Anamorphic Pictures
Museum of Childhood

Put away your PSP, your iPhone, or whatever hand-held gadget you're sporting this summer...this is entertainment. This toy from the 1800s uses a curved mirror to reflect a distorted image, so simply look into the mirror to find out what it is. Perhaps for the more refined, slower paced gamer.

Peep-show with views of the interior of a Dutch house
National Gallery

Looking into this box means that you can see into a 17th Century Dutch house. A visual feast of 3D illusions. Now wouldn't your Sims have a blast in there?

The Ambassadors
National Gallery

Chances are that you know about this one and were probably made to go and see it when you were at school, but if not you should definitely go and have a look. Viewed head on the large-scale painting looks like a simple double portrait. But view from the side and a skull appears at the bottom. Resident Evil eat your heart out – kind of.

Trompe l'oeil with writing materials
V&A

For the most part we want our games to look as life-like as possible but transport us into positions we're never likely to be in – well I severely hope you never wake up to find you're a reckless gun slinger in the wild west. So in your alternate reality as a 16th century writer who uses various implements such as a quill, sealing wax and a paper knife as weapons to avenge the death of his wife, this amazingly lifelike letter rack will come in useful. Rights to game copyright Spoonfed Games Ltd.

Morph your own face
Science Museum

If you happen to miss your technology then you can morph your own face at the Science Museum. Larger scale than FatBooth and you can even put yourself into the “3D world of Imax cinema”. I guess that's a little more baffling if you live in 2D land – I'll send you a postcard.

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Loredana