Plated Illusions: The Legacy of Christine Viennet

Celebrating the art of trompe l’oeil and the tradition of Bernard Palissy

Born in Norway in 1947, Christine Viennet studied at the Oslo School of Art and apprenticed with noted ceramicists Rolf Hansen and Bente von Krogh. Her first exhibition was held in 1971 at the Galerie Christian de Bertier and at the Salon des Indépendants in Paris.

For over two decades, Viennet focused on trompe l’oeil ceramics, crafting intricately detailed compositions with anatomical precision and playful scenes. “They may not be new, but they’re somehow more irresistible than ever,” wrote Suzanne Slesin in The New York Times in 1985, noting their availability at Eggs & Tricities in New York. The most popular motifs, including fruit, vegetables, eggs, fish, and charcuterie, were often affixed to repurposed and vintage ceramics as the base for her trompe l’oeil creations.

Today, Viennet lives and works in a château near Béziers, France, where she maintains her studio and oversees the Raissac Museum of Ceramics—home to a remarkable collection of over 6,000 ceramic works spanning the 15th to 21st centuries. Her recent work continues in the spirit of Bernard Palissy, drawing deep inspiration from the natural world.

Over the past year, STAIR has been pleased to offer several of Viennet’s works through our Art of Entertaining auction series—with strong results. We’re delighted to present a new selection of classic Viennet ceramics in a variety of motifs and scales in the upcoming The Art of Entertaining sale on May 8th.

Scenes from the STAIR Art of Entertaining window featuring porcelain works by Christine Viennet on Warren Street in Hudson, NY.