The Cezanne Effect

The Cezanne Effect refers to a phenomenon in perception where our brains fill in gaps in visual information based on previous experiences. Named after the painter Paul Cézanne, who used abstract shapes and colors, this effect shows how our minds interpret and complete incomplete images, making them look more coherent. For instance, when we see a partially obscured object, we often mentally picture the whole object, allowing us to understand what it is, even if we cannot see every detail. This effect highlights the brain’s powerful ability to construct a complete view from limited or abstract visual stimuli.