Giant Spiders on the Roof

A Rooftop That Catches Your Eye

In the heart of Seattle, right under the iconic Space Needle, two giant harvestmen appear to creep across the roof of the Seattle Center Armory. This clever and eye-catching mural was created by artist Marlin Peterson, using a technique called trompe l’oeil to give the illusion of massive arthropods overtaking the building.

The Story Behind the Harvestmen

Commissioned by the Washington State Artist Trust, Peterson was tasked with creating a large-scale mural somewhere in the city. After failing to find a suitably large wall, he had a bold idea: why not use a roof as the canvas? With the Seattle Center Armory agreeing to the project, he began painting his striking artwork.