visual illusion
Eye deceives mind
A visual illusion is something that deceives the eye—an image or scene that appears different from what it actually is.
Optical illusions trick the brain into perceiving colors, sizes, or movements incorrectly: The lines look curved but are actually straight.
Mirages and afterimages are natural visual illusions.
The term also covers deliberate tricks of perspective in art and design.
- afterimageLingering visual impression
- perceptual constancyRecognizing unchanged objects despite varying input
- depth perceptionGauging object distance visually
- mirageAtmospheric optical deception
- refractionWave bending between media
trompe-l'œil · dazzle · blind spot · anamorphosis · shadow play · hyperrealism · moiré pattern · chiaroscuro · camouflage techniques · Escher · forced perspective · vanishing point · distortion · double image · impossible · magic eye · pattern · eye trick
- panoramic artcyclorama, panorama, landscape mural, immersive art, sweeping view
visual illusionreality
What actually exists
objective reality · physical reality · clear sight · what you see is what you get · normal vision