Still Life with Flute and Red Cardinal by Jean Grimal (1942–1998)

This captivating trompe-lœil painting showcases Jean Grimal’s extraordinary mastery of illusion. A vivid red cardinal, a black wooden flute, curling manuscripts and brittle music sheets appear to be pinned against an aged panel. Every detail — the folds, tears, shadows and textures — is rendered with such precision that the viewer is compelled to question what is real and what is painted.
Yet beyond technical brilliance lies a poetic meditation on time, memory and visual harmony. The bright cardinal draws the eye and anchors the composition, while the muted palette and gentle light evoke a still, timeless presence.
Grimal, who began his career as an advertising illustrator, later devoted himself entirely to illusionist painting. His works, though rare, are widely collected by connoisseurs of realism and visual sophistication. This oil on canvas, signed lower right, measures 50 × 61 cm (framed: 56 × 67 cm) and is a striking example of modern trompe-lœil at its finest.