“Trompe l’œil” paintings were sought after by collectors who admired the skill of deception created by the artists. As the fashion for these works grew, painters came up with increasingly elaborated compositions including objects, such as letters, engravings and drawings.

The Musée des Beau-Arts de Rennes houses a painting entitled “Trompe-l’œil with an engraving by Sarrabat”, similar to ours in its dimensions, wooden background, and the rose ribbon holding the objects.