Optical illusions are a fun pastime that tickles the senses and challenges the way we perceive the world. And one of the most notorious optical illusions was that of “My Wife and My Mother-in-law.”
This infamous drawing supposedly depicted an older woman and young woman in the same drawing. At first glance, however, it looks like there is only one woman in the drawing. But there is more to this drawing than meets the eye.
Audiences first saw this drawing on a German postcard in 1888. At first, The Anchor Buggy Company put these postcards out with little warning about the optical illusion taking place on the page.
For months, readers had no idea that two women were sharing the same space in the drawing. Once audiences realized the clever trick, William Ely Hill, the British cartoonist who created the cartoon, gained thousands of fans worldwide.
This optical illusion is considered one of the first of its kind, and it was responsible for sparking an interest in tricks of the eye and optical illusions. For that reason, it is still recognizable well over a century later.
Do you see both of the figures in this drawing? If not, which of the figures do you see? The young woman glanced to the side, but the older woman stared over her shoulder.
If you are still struggling to see both of the characters, check out this video for some assistance and ask your friends which figure they see in this old drawing.
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