Thursday, July 23, 2009

Trompe L'oeil at Beaubourg


I already mentioned this Trompe l'oeil in August 2005. A that time I took the photo from the top of the Beaubourg Museum. This time, let me offer you a close up. If you look carefully you will see that the two windows on the right side of the building are not real (even four actually, because the ones above are also painted). It's very old, but it's always fun to see. The multicolored toilet seats graffiti, however, are much more recent!

31 comments:

  1. Paris's trompe l'oeil coverings are always so brilliantly done. I'm not so sure about the toilets, though!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh my, I'm the GF du jour. I guess this means I'm the first to get a 'throne' with the crown!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I can't tell if the ledges are real or painted on. Fun to look at!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love trompe l'oeil. This is a fine example. I loathe the loos being there though :(

    ReplyDelete
  5. Delightful photo. It looks a little like a painting. I actually like the loos, Lynn. I think it's probably the colors I really like. They play off the grays.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yes the colours are nice. Feel should be somewhere else though.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It looks like the windows are real, with painted cut-outs standing inside. Excellently done.

    By the way, yesterday's photo is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Fooled my foolish eyes! Toilets need to be flushed IMO. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oooh, Lynn, loo loathing...like it!
    ;)


    Actually, I like the photo completely, even with the toidies. Its a totally different view of the building and one can see the figures much more clearly. I wish I'd remembered to look UP when I was in this area - I'm sure I walked right by this any number of times.

    ReplyDelete
  10. How fun!

    I barely can differ the real one from the painted one. There's even a man inside playing the violin!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I like this one Eric because it does exactly what a trompe l'oeil sets out to do...fool you! I immediately looked at the colours then thought, "Why didn't he take the shot closer?" Duhhhh...got me!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Very colorful.. .graffiti. And the windows are lovely to look at.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Me too, Micheal! I immediately thought that the colors plaques were some kind of new "jewelry" for buildings. Turned me right around when I saw the windows - fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Always love to see them. Certainly "eye" catching.

    ReplyDelete
  15. The windows are so well done, they're amazing! And I have to confess that I actually find the graffiti fun too — especially the old Mac Trash :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Is this an example of former owners blocking up windows to save on taxes? That was in the 18th century, or something...?

    I've seen many instances of the little cyber-creature, the 'bit' guy, whatever. The inodoro graffiti theme here is a bit pubescent, perhaps, but at least colorful. I agree that the old Mac trashcan is amusing. I like the red serpent best.

    ReplyDelete
  17. That's terrific. I'll have to look for this building in September when I'm in Paris. The toilets will make it easier to spot. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love this, but not so keen on the outside toilet.(bit too public).

    I particularly like the idea that one could pass this spot many times without noticing, then one day look up and see this little scene.
    Wonder who the figures are?
    Perhaps they lived here once.
    Sort of mysterious.

    Add to the list of things to see (or do I?) next visit.

    PS Been a bit hectic recently, hence unable to comment much.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Holà everyone!!!!
    I'm always fooled by a trompe l'oeil! Yes i am the kind of easy foolish people I guess! But I don't care! That's it!

    Drummond : hectic ? I do hope the h1 n1 virus is far away from you by now, isnt'it? I wish you the best. And I guess you just need (like many of us) some vacation, don't you?!

    Back to Eric's post, how does it feel inside is the best question. For sure!
    Bisous.

    ReplyDelete
  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Bonjour Eric,

    There are several cities that utilize the optical illusion Trompe L'oeil. When I live San Diego one of my favorite building was the Metropolitan Hotel.

    The building had bay windows when it was built in 1886. To the casual observer, it looks decidedly contemporary -- until you spot the rugged 19th-century columns still visible on the street level. The Metropolitan also features arrestingly realistic trompe l'oeil effects painted on the facade by artists Nonni McKinnoon and Kitty Anderson. When the building was being renovated in the '80s, it was determined a faithful restoration would be too costly, so the owner was permitted to do the faux finish. Today the Metropolitan is another of San Diego's well-located hostels.

    San Francisco's Mission District is another great place to view illusionism, although it is better know for murals. I lived in San Francisco for several years it is a walking city like Paris and there is so much to see and do. In the Mission District just off of 24th Street, Balmy Alley is lined almost end-to-end with colorful murals painted by local artists. To me it is funny that most people do not notice the natural or created beauty all around them. {Both are created beauty it is just your point of view. lol} I always want to say "Slow down and enjoy your life". But of course, when a lot of people finally realize that... it will be to late.

    Trompe L'oeil is French for "trick of the eye", and refers to any style of media {usually painting} intended to create an optical illusion to fool the viewer. The earliest remaining example of trompe l'oeil was found in the unearthing of Pompeii, and is thousands of years old.

    A mural is any piece of artwork painted directly on a wall, ceiling, or other large permanent surface.

    I loved the post Eric.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I saw a trompe l'oeil in Lucca and could hardly believe it; had to go over and actually rub my hand over the flat surface! Truly amazing.

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  23. One of the things to love about Paris—art is everywhere! But those are some strange-looking toilets, imho (or are they the kind just for men?).

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow Velia very informative all that. Lovely to see you.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Merci! Great seeing you too Lynn.

    ReplyDelete
  26. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I also love to see Trompe L'oeil - there are some pretty ones in Quesbec City, Canada that I saw last year on a trip there.

    On this Beaubourg building, I think the real windows have had updated ironwork since the Trompe L'oiel was painted. At least I am presuming that the painting originally matched the real ironwork. It's still pretty though.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oops, sorry about my typos. I should read before I publish.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I am really surprised about the excellent job that you have made in this blog, which contains very important and amazing content about Trompe L'oeil at Beaubourg, it allows everyone to express a variety of opinions.

    ReplyDelete