impossible triangle
Unreal geometric shape
An impossible triangle is a visual illusion depicting a three-dimensional triangular object that could not exist in physical space—each corner appears valid, but the overall structure contradicts itself.
Also called a Penrose triangle after the mathematician who popularized it.
The figure is a staple of optical illusion art and appears in works by M.C.
Escher.
- optical illusionMisleading visual perception
- EscherDutch impossible-geometry artist
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
- geometryScience of spatial relationships
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
Penrose · depth perception · tesselation · mind-bending · mind trick · infinite · loop · stairs · perspective · visual trick · optical art · three-dimensional · flat · drawing · M.C. Escher · woodcut · lithograph · art print
impossible triangleequilateral triangle
Three-sided figure, sides identical
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