Ubiquitous gaze, also referred to as pursuing eyes, is an art term for the effect created by certain portraits, such as the Mona Lisa, which give the impression that the subject's eyes are following the viewer. When such a painting is viewed from any angle, the subject's eyes still appear to be looking straight into the viewer's. This is an effect of perspective and may be deliberate or not.
Ubiquitous gaze is a common technique of the trompe-l'œil school of painting, and can be seen in numerous works.
Famous quotes containing the word gaze:
“Though I knit my brow,
my gaze is fixed
longingly
anyway.
Though I check my tongue,
this tortured face of mine
dissolves in a smile.
Though I drive my heart to hardness,
my body bears
the gooseflesh
of desire.
When I see that man,
how on earth
can my anger
survive?”
—Amaru (c. seventh century A.D.)