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Aisle & Apse Read the building

Features / Ornament & details

Ornament & details

Painted illusion

Ceiling and wall painting that makes flat or curved surfaces seem to open into sky or extra architecture (trompe-l'oeil).

Where to look
A ceiling that seems to open to the sky, or painted columns that are not there.
Styles
On the drawings
Not marked on the drawings.

Not sure of the style? Use the Style Finder

Cross-section of a vaulted building with a nave, two aisles and flying buttresses. Each label links to its feature. NAVE AISLE AISLE RoofPinnacleFlying buttressButtressAisleRib vaultClerestoryTriforiumArcadePierNave
Cross-sectionFor orientation: Painted illusion is not drawn here.