Schijn bedriegt

About this artwork

Verbeelding van het spreekwoord: schijn bedriegd. Over een voorstelling met drie elanden in een landschap ligt een vel wit papier, een trompe-l'oeil.

Art Historical Context

"Schijn bedriegt" (Appearances Deceive) is a witty visual meditation on illusion, created by Dutch artist Johannes Henderikus Morriën between 1865 and 1866. The work depicts three elands grazing in a tranquil landscape, yet the scene is partially obscured by a sheet of white paper that appears to rest directly on the surface. This clever arrangement transforms a simple nature study into a playful exploration of the well-known proverb. Executed on paper measuring 260 by 352 millimetres, the drawing employs trompe-l’oeil techniques to heighten the sense of deception. By rendering the overlying sheet with convincing folds and shadows, Morriën invites viewers to question what they see—an effect that perfectly embodies the artwork’s title. Such optical tricks were popular in the nineteenth century for both amusement and instruction, reminding audiences that surface appearances can be misleading. The restrained medium of paper lends an intimate, almost casual quality to the piece, as though the viewer has stumbled upon a sketch accidentally covered by a stray leaf. Through this modest yet sophisticated composition, Morriën captures both the charm of naturalistic observation and the enduring human fascination with visual trickery.