Optical Illusion of The Day: Tom French’s Skull Obsession

Posted: 28 May 2012 02:34 PM PDT

Why is it that romance and death go so well together in art? Perhaps it’s the idea that true love is eternal, which means that even in death the lovers will stay together. Or, maybe it’s because death will eventually conquer any romance, no matter how powerful. Maybe it’s that true love will lead us to do anything for our partner – even dying for them, just like Romeo and Juliet did. Or, perhaps it’s the simple contrast of something so dark with something so beautiful.

Whatever the reason, artist Tom French is a master of mixing the macabre with the saccharine, depicting romance after romance all blended in seamlessly with skull illusions.

While not all of his illusions focus on romance and a few aren’t even skulls, but are, instead, faces, they all manage to stir up emotions from the viewer. Also, they are all wonderful works of art. For proof, just check out this gallery featuring some of his most impressive works of illusion and don’t miss this earlier post featuring his work as well.