Mural painting appears in various forms, extending from prehistoric cave paintings up to modern graffiti. Painting on walls is the original form of painting, long before book illustration and painting on boards had been established. Murals are found in the decoration of Egyptian burial chambers, Greek temples, Roman villas, medieval churches, sacred and profane buildings from Renaissance, Baroque and later periods.
The most popular and famous form of mural painting is the illusionistic painting, which is also known by the French term “trompe´l œil” (deception of the eye). The character of trompe´l œil is that the observer perceives the painted objects not as illustrations but as real objects, so that the boarder between painting and intended reality vanishes.

Early forms of illusionistic painting are to be found in ancient Rome, most prominently in Pompeji. Starting in the Renaissance, illusionistic painting gradually developed as the main type of wall painting, reaching its highest point in the Baroque era. Trompe´l œil forms the central competence of Atelier Benad.

Ilusionistic painting from Atelier Benad is found in swimming pools, health clubs and spas. They are situated in living rooms, dining-rooms and rest-rooms, as well as in private and commercial areas. They fulfil different functions:

1. As artwork they have an aesthetic impact on the whole environment, complementing the practical construction of a building. Murals create an atmosphere which has qualities that are both unique and luxurious, and give an individual style to each environment. Benad´s paintings mostly follow the style of the old masters.

2. As setup of the room, physically strongly linked to its shape, murals are meant to meet the purpose and the requirements of the particular space. Relating the subjects of the paintings to the functions of a room, creates an optimal atmosphere for its use.

3. As custom made they focus on the particular wishes of the client. “We don’t paint for ourselves, we paint for those, who will be observing the painting every day,” says Ursula Benad. “His dreams and desires as well as his precise ideas and requirements will be incorporated in the picture.”