Magic (illusion)
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Magic is a performing art in which audiences are entertained by tricks, effects, or illusions of seemingly impossible feats, using natural means. It encompasses the subgenres of close-up magic, parlor
The Conjurer, 1475–1480, by Hieronymus Bosch or his workshop. Notice how the man in the back row steals another man's purse while applying misdirection by looking at the sky.
Well known illusionist David Blaine performs magic for president Barack Obama at the White House, 2016
Penn & Teller's Walk of Fame Star. They are 21st century magicians.
An illustration from Reginald Scot's The Discoverie of Witchcraft (1584), one of the earliest books on magic tricks, explaining how the "Decollation of John Baptist" decapitation illusion may be performed
Card manipulation
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Card manipulation, commonly known as card magic, is the branch of magic that deals with creating effects using sleight of hand techniques involving playing cards. Card manipulation is often used in ma
Card trick. Upper left: "Pick a card, any card". Upper right: Back-palming a card. Bottom left: A "spring" flourish. Bottom right: Mixing the cards (shuffling) allows for card trick preparation.
Orson Welles performs a card trick for Carl Sandburg (August 1942)