Fool for Trompe L’Oeil

Man was thought to have started painting even during the pre-historic period. It’s said that he painted animals on cave walls and floors for his rituals and beliefs in the supernatural.

The Egyptian period saw paintings on walls, stones and tombs. The Roman era showed great works of frescos and illusionism which depicted the rituals of the time. During the medieval times, the synagogues were painted with frescos and during the Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic periods, monasteries and churches were painted with religious images.

It was during the High Renaissance that Michelangelo painted the ceilings and walls of the famous Sistine Chapel and Raphael painted Stanza della Segnatura. The rest is history.

What do all these important works of art have in common? Aside from depicting the different lifestyles and beliefs of each period, almost all of these works were painted on walls. From the use of natural pigments in cave walls to the egg tempura on plaster in historical churches, they all served a function and were not merely for aesthetics.

The art of mural painting is very much appreciated these days, as it is used in both residential and commercial establishments. Fresco or mural painting is defined as painted wall decoration that is integrated with the physical space and architecture of the place.

Mural paintings are studied and designed based not merely on beauty but also on how they will complement the structure, space, function and idea of a given place.

The paintings in old and great churches are very good examples of excellent mural paintings. They conform to the very intricate structural design and space while their subject matter depicts the function of its being a religious place.

Have you noticed how the great muralists extended architectural structures and details like columns, pillars, posts and even walls into their mural paintings? Looking at the works, you will find yourself wondering if some of these elements are real or painted.

Mural Paintings As Part Of Interior Design

These days, mural paintings can be found not only in churches, but also in homes, hotels, restaurants, bars, offices, hospitals, banks, resorts, etc.

Mural paintings have somehow extended their function, depicting illusion and depth, creating mood or ambience and emphasizing a certain image or concept. It can be a picture painted directly on a wall or ceiling or on panels that will later be put on the wall. For some people, mural paintings are a viable replacement to paintings, posters, wallpapers, signage and other wall treatments.

A mural is now a consideration in designing or treating floors and ceilings. As part of an interior design, they can be rendered in different ways. A few of the most commonly used techniques are: trompe l’oeil, meaning to "fool the eye," a painting that creates the illusion of reality. The viewer is not always sure whether the picture depicted is real or a representation. There is the stylized mural, a painting that conforms to a given style, such as modern, figurative or geometric, specific to a design rather than according to nature or convention. Impressionistic, a painting that gives a quick or an overall impression of a picture through the technique of applying paint to the surface in short strokes. Photo-realism, a style that depicts a photographic image of a picture or a scene.

Whether in a commercial or private space, a mural becomes a major part of the interiors. It can sometimes dictate or lead the direction of the design, but most often murals are integrated to complement the concept and design of a place. Now, it has also extended its use not only in interior design, but in exterior design as well.

Functional Art

Mural paintings may vary in design and style depending on their purpose and function. It can be a simulated picture of a door or a window overlooking a garden, city, sea or landscape. It can also be an entire wall painted to create an illusion of an extension or depth of the room to make the given space feel and look bigger.

As the awareness and demand for mural painting rise, muralists have developed different approaches in painting murals. Using different painting media such as acrylic paints (water based) and oil paint, adding actual or physical texture, embossing or layering, color washing, integrating sculptural pieces and most importantly using proper lighting to their works of art. It is also important to know and study where a mural painting is to be placed: Is it going to be life-sized or proportional to the room?

From religious to commercial function, a mural serves a purpose now as it did then. From intricate and classic to modern-day structural designs, it complements the space and architecture. Mural painting has definitely taken a big part of designing interior or exterior spaces . Many ask if the modern-day mural painting is just simply a trend or here to stay. If the murals of Michelangelo withstood the times, why not present-day murals?

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The author is one of the participants in "Tribute: An Affair in Black & White," an exhibit by the Advanced Class 2002 of the Philippine School of Interior Design (PSID) which will likewise be a tribute to 35 personalities who have made a significant contribution to the interior design industry and academe in PSID’s 35 years. The exhibit is slated on Oct. 2 to 31 at the LKG Tower, Ayala Ave., Makati City.