A Trompe l’Oeil of Newspapers, Letters and Writing Implements on a Wooden Board
- Artist: Edward Collier
- Date: c.1699
- Medium: Oil paint on canvas
- Dimensions: support: 588 × 462 mm
- Museum: Tate Britain
- Collection record: Tate Britain website
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About this artwork
This is the *A Trompe l’Oeil of Newspapers, Letters and Writing Implements on a Wooden Board* by Edward Collier, c.1699. Collier, a Dutch painter who spent time in London, specialised in trompe l’oeil – the art of tricking the eye into seeing real objects painted in paint. Here he lays out a letter‑rack of everyday items: a folded London newspaper dated “Monday, May 15”, a broadsheet addressed to the King, a quill and penknife, a tortoiseshell comb, sealing wax and a tiny sealed letter. Each object is rendered with such detail that you could almost pick it up, and they’re all held together by three red leather straps against a light pine board. The date on the newspaper helps us pin the work to 1699 – the only Monday that fell on May 15 in that period. Collier’s skillful use of light and shadow creates a convincing three‑dimensional effect, making the viewer pause and ask, “Is that a real letter rack or a painted trick?” The painting is a playful reminder of the 17th‑century fascination with illusion and the power of the written word in everyday life.
See it in person
A Trompe l’Oeil of Newspapers, Letters and Writing Implements on a Wooden Board is in the collection of Tate Britain on Millbank, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
