Ancient Greek Art Duel Remixed: The Hardham Mural and the Illusion of Reality

This article connects a 12th-century mural at Hardham church to the famous painting contest between Zeuxis and Parrhasios in ancient Greece. Parrhasios, known for his deceptively realistic curtain painting, tricked even Zeuxis. The Hardham mural uses this same trick in its depiction of 'The Deception of Adam and Eve', challenging viewers' perceptions of images. The article explores the nature and value of art and warns against being fooled by visual realism, advocating for a 'spiritual vision' to transcend the limitations of visible things.