There would also be a similar white highlight on the grey top if both parts were the same color in the light scenario described in this image. There are also imaginary white/ black environment reflections on the sides of this thing that have nothing to do with the environment/ lighting in the image.
This isn’t really even an illusion. It’s an observation of the type of light/ color relationships artists painters and illustrators deal with on a daily basis. All this image illustrates is that the color white turns grey when in shadow. Is that supposed to freak me out?
