Trompe L’oeil
Trompe l’oeil Trickery
Trompe l’oeil translated from the French means "fools the eye." It refers to a challenging artistic technique in which an object or scene is represented in photographically realistic detail with the appearance of three dimensions. Well done, it is so convincing that it deceives the viewer into thinking that they see the object itself rather than a representation of it.
Widely used during the Baroque period, trompe l’oeil in America enhances the decoration of many traditionally designed state capitols, courthouses and churches. Common applications include creating the appearance of a different material, such as stone work, on a plain plaster surface. Designs and mouldings have been painted on walls and ceilings to give the appearance of architectural ornamentation, such as plaster or wood details, that do not exist. Faux framing on murals was another popular application a century ago. Trompe l’oeil is a storied technique that is created and restored by CSS.
Click on a thumbnail image below to view a larger photo.
- Basilica of Holy Hill, National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians
- Basilica of St. Josaphat - Interior Restoration
- Basilica of the Sacred Heart, University of Notre Dame - Restoration
- Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
- Cathedral - Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France
- Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption
- Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
- Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales
- Cathedral of St. Helena
- Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
- Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
- Cathedral of St. Joseph
- Cathedral of the Assumption
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception - New Apse Mural
- Christ Episcopal Church
- Church of St. Albert the Great
- Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ
- Discalced Carmelite Monastery
- First United Methodist Church
- Gesu Parish, Marquette University
- Holy Cross Catholic Church
- Holy Family Catholic Church
- Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
- Monastery Immaculate Conception Church
- Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary
- Sacred Heart Cathedral
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church
- Sacred Heart Chapel, Manresa House of Retreats
- Sacred Heart Cultural Center
- St. Agnes Church
- St. Anthony Church
- St. Bartholomew Catholic Church
- St. Francis Xavier Cathedral
- St. Hyacinth Basilica
- St. James Catholic Church
- St. James Catholic Church
- St. John Neumann Catholic Church - New glass, murals and decorative painting
- St. John the Baptist Church
- St. Joseph Catholic Church
- St. Joseph Catholic Church
- St. Joseph Convent
- St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral
- St. Louis Church
- St. Mary Basilica
- St. Mary Catholic Church
- St. Mary Magdalen
- St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church
- St. Peter’s Catholic Church
- St. Peter’s Catholic Church - Stations of the Cross Restoration
- St. Stanislaus Church
- The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception
- Trinity Episcopal Church
- Citi Performing Arts Center, The Wang Theatre
- Egyptian Theatre
- Egyptian Theatre
- Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre
- France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, The Hippodrome Theatre
- Grand Opera House
- Hawaii Theatre
- Indiana Landmarks Center
- Jefferson Theatre - Beaumont Civic Center Complex
- Lensic Performing Arts Center
- Mabel Tainter Theatre
- Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, AT&T Performing Arts Center
- Mineral Point Opera House
- Ohio Theatre
- Orpheum Theatre
- Pabst Theater
- Palace Theatre
- Palace Theatre
- Palace Theatre
- Paramount Theatre
- Peery’s Egyptian Theater
- Schofield Barracks, Quad F Theatre
- Stephanie H. Weill Center - Sheboygan Theatre
- 30th Street Station
- 35 E. Wacker
- Administration Building, University of Notre Dame
- Bass Mansion - University of Saint Francis
- Brown County Courthouse
- Camden County Courthouse
- Chicago Hilton and Towers
- French Lick Springs Hotel
- Indiana Landmarks Center
- Iowa State Capitol
- King Ranch
- Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, AT&T Performing Arts Center
- Milwaukee County Historical Society
- Milwaukee’s Grain Exchange
- Mosque Auditorium
- Northwestern Mutual Insurance Company
- Old Milwaukee Road Depot
- Pabst Mansion
- Pabst Theater
- Pfister Hotel
- SMU Dallas Hall
- St. Louis Union Station
- U.S. Courthouse & Federal Building
- University of Michigan, Ross School of Business
- Waldorf=Astoria Hotel
- Walter Library, University of Minnesota
- West Baden Springs Hotel
- White House Visitor Center
Start Your Project Right. Call Us Today For a Consultation 800-969-3033.




