Located on the ground and first floor hallways of the Agronomy Building, artist Richard Haas`s Murals appear naturally as windows overlooking the Iowa landscape. The method that Haas used to achieve this effect is called trompe l'oeil, a French term meaning ‘to deceive the eye`. The term is given to a painting style that is so photographically realistic that it may trick the viewer into thinking the scene is real instead of painted. The illusion is enhanced by the artist's incorporation of the surrounding floor tiles, window moldings and architectural pillars into the paintings and skillful use of perspective, natural color and atmospheric effect.
