A simple yet fascinating sketch has taken the internet by storm, challenging viewers’ perception and stirring debate across social media platforms and psychology classrooms alike. Created by two psychology professors from Australia, the illustration appears, at first glance, to portray nothing more than an elderly woman wrapped in a shawl, her face marked by the passage of time.
But look again—closer this time—and a completely different image might emerge.
A Dual Portrait That Tests the Mind
Hidden within the contours of the elderly figure is the outline of a young woman, turning away, her delicate features subtly integrated into what initially seems like deep wrinkles and a fur-lined cloak. The young woman’s chin is actually the old woman’s nose. Her ear becomes the older lady’s eye. With just a shift in focus, the entire image transforms—offering a powerful optical illusion that plays with your brain’s interpretation of visual cues.
What You See First May Say More Than You Think
According to the researchers, this clever drawing does more than confuse the eye. It offers insight into how our brains process information—and may even give clues about our age.
Viewers under the age of 32 are statistically more likely to see the young woman first.
Those over 32, however, tend to perceive the older woman immediately.
This difference is thought to arise from life experience and mental conditioning. Younger individuals may subconsciously relate more to the youthful figure, while older viewers may be more attuned to the aged outline due to familiarity and cognitive bias.
More Than Just an Age Test—A Window Into Cognitive Style
Beyond the age factor, psychologists believe the image also taps into individual intelligence and observation skills. Spotting both women—and being able to shift perspective rapidly—may indicate stronger cognitive flexibility, attention to detail, and abstract thinking.
How to Spot the Young Woman (If You Don’t See Her Right Away)
If your eyes are stuck on the elderly woman and you’re struggling to find the hidden face of youth, here’s a quick tip:
Focus on the elderly woman’s chin. This also serves as the young woman’s left cheek, seen in profile.
The old woman’s eye becomes the young woman’s ear, and what appears to be a mouth line is actually the curve of a delicate jaw.
The shawl’s neckline on the older woman can be interpreted as a choker or necklace worn by the younger figure.
Once you catch the illusion, it’s hard to unsee it—and you may find yourself switching between both interpretations with ease.
Why We Love Optical Illusions Like This One
Images like this captivate us because they break the rules of perception and invite us to question how we see the world. They’re more than parlor tricks; they serve as tools for exploring how the human brain interprets reality.
Whether you saw the old woman first or the young one, what matters most is the curiosity the image inspires. It’s a reminder that perspective is everything—and that sometimes, what we see is shaped more by who we are than by what’s actually there.