Zeuxis and Parrhasius were both highly acclaimed painters of the 5th century BCE, known for their skill in creating incredibly lifelike images. Their rivalry led to a competition to determine who was the superior artist, based on their ability to create the most convincing illusion.
Zeuxis painted grapes so realistically that birds flew down to peck at them, thinking they were real. Confident in his victory, Zeuxis asked Parrhasius to draw aside the curtain that covered his painting, expecting to see a work beneath. However, the curtain itself was Parrhasius's painting, crafted with such skill that Zeuxis had been fooled into thinking it was a real fabric curtain. Realizing his mistake, Zeuxis conceded defeat, admitting that while he had managed to fool animals, Parrhasius had succeeded in deceiving an artist.
This story highlights the ancient Greek appreciation for trompe-l'oeil (deceive the eye), a technique intended to trick the viewer into perceiving painted detail as a three-dimensional object. It also illustrates the competitive spirit and high regard for skill in the visual arts during this period.