Theatrical Trompe l’Oeil
Created by artists Dominique Durant and Marion Pochy, Avignon features some fifty theatrical "painted windows" that depict iconic characters such as Hamlet and Scapin, serving as a permanent tribute to the city's deep connection with its world-famous theatre festival.
The Theatrical Trompe l'Oeil refers to a series of roughly fifty modern public artworks scattered throughout the streets and city walls of Avignon. Created by contemporary artists Dominique Durant and Marion Pochy, these large-scale murals take the form of highly realistic "painted windows."
These artworks are culturally significant because they serve as a permanent, year-round celebration of the world-famous Festival d'Avignon. They physically embed the city's modern identity as a global capital of theatre directly into its ancient medieval architecture, bridging the gap between history and contemporary performance art.
As you walk through the historic center, you will unexpectedly encounter these vibrant murals painted directly onto the sides of old buildings. The artwork is so realistic that at first glance, it appears you are looking through actual open windows at dramatic theatrical characters, like Hamlet or Macbeth, standing inside.
The figures painted in these windows are not just generic actors. If you look closely, many of the murals depict highly specific, legendary performances and famous actors from the very early, foundational years of the Festival d'Avignon.