Who painted Trompe l'Oeil with Pistols?

Trompe l'Oeil with Pistols was painted by Unknown in 1672.

Where can I see Trompe l'Oeil with Pistols?

Trompe l'Oeil with Pistols is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Trompe l'Oeil with Pistols?

Trompe l'Oeil with Pistols is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Trompe l'Oeil with Pistols

Unknown , 1672

Trompe l'Oeil with Pistols is a photography by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1672 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created in 1672 by the artist identified as 2588_person, Trompe l’Oeil with Pistols is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1672 by the artist identified as 2588_person, Trompe l’Oeil with Pistols is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work presents a realistic depiction of two period pistols propped against a wooden wall, rendered so convincingly that the viewer initially perceives the scene as a photograph rather than a painted image.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on two antique firearms, one bearing a red leather case and a small metal pendant suspended from its barrel. By isolating the weapons against a plain wooden backdrop, the piece invites contemplation of material culture and the tactile qualities of metal and wood, while also questioning the reliability of visual perception.

Technique & Style

The artist employs trompe l’oeil, a visual illusion technique that mimics three‑dimensional objects on a flat surface. Careful modeling of light and shadow through chiaroscuro enhances the sense of depth, allowing the pistols to appear to project from the panel. The visible wood grain and subtle tonal transitions contribute to the overall realism.

History & Provenance

Since its creation in the late seventeenth century, the work has remained within institutional holdings, ultimately entering the Museum of Ethnography’s collection. Documentation traces its acquisition to the museum’s early acquisitions of European decorative arts, where it has been displayed as an example of illusionistic painting.