In some old horror movies, the eyes in paintings can follow you around. That’s an illusion. But it’s based on the work of artists who make people in paintings seem real.
For centuries, eyes have been central in art. In some ancient art, the eyes had religious meaning. In more modern times, artists have used shimmering eyes to make their paintings come to life. People feel they can “read” others by looking into their eyes. That’s why eyes are the central focus of many portraits.
