This article explores the role of illusions in contemporary visual culture, tracing their historical evolution and philosophical significance. It argues that visual practices shape individual perception, creating “traces of reality” that define one’s worldview. The study employs a cultural-philosophical approach, combining descriptive analysis of historical examples with comparative methods to examine illusions across different eras—from ancient Greek and Roman art to Renaissance techniques like trompe-l’œil and modern digital media. Key themes include the duality of the visible and the seen, the interplay between reality and representation, and the social function of illusions as tools for communication and critique. The article analyzes how illusions challenge perception and construct meaning. Importance of illusion as a visual practice is in demonstrating of the viewer role in the process of seeing. Authors suppose that practice of illusion is a sort of cultural reflection. It developed with painting technique, theories of vision, optics and mass communication. Authors research AI-generated imagery as a modern type of illusion, because which blur boundaries between reality and artifice, demanding new critical frameworks, visual and cognitive illusion. The conclusion emphasizes illusions as a cultural constant, reflecting humanity’s desire to expand reality while questioning its nature. Socially, illusions disrupt norms, fostering interaction and redefining authenticity in digital eras. The article bridges art history, media studies, and philosophy, offering insights into how illusions continue to shape visual culture today.