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Letter Rack with Barber-Surgeon’s Instruments — Letters and instruments seem to hang in front of the painted surface.
Look closely. Let the image settle.
Illusions in painting / 1668

Letter Rack with Barber-Surgeon’s Instruments

Letters and instruments seem to hang in front of the painted surface.

TRY THIS

Inspect the edges of the papers and the shadows of the tools.

FOLLOW THE SOURCES

History, evidence & image credit

THE IMAGE IN THIS ARCHIVE

Cornelis Norbertus Gijsbrechts

Original file & attribution · CC0

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Frequently asked questions

What is Letter Rack with Barber-Surgeon’s Instruments?

Letters and instruments seem to hang in front of the painted surface.

What should I look for in Letter Rack with Barber-Surgeon’s Instruments?

Inspect the edges of the papers and the shadows of the tools.

What explains Letter Rack with Barber-Surgeon’s Instruments?

Overlapping papers, straps, and metal implements create a shallow but tangible depth. Cast shadows encourage the objects to seem attached to the actual wall.

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Letter Rack with Barber-Surgeon’s Instruments — Letters and instruments seem to hang in front of the painted surface.

Letter Rack with Barber-Surgeon’s Instruments