This is known as an optical illusion— something that tricks the eyes into seeing something different to what has actually been captured.

And a recent photograph of a cat who looks as though he’s been embroidered on a chair is just that.

In the snap, posted to Reddit by user Spacexcake, we can see a tray of pizza on a table, and behind it is a chair with a cream-colored material back.

A tabby cat is sitting on the chair, perfectly framed in the cloth and without shadows behind him, so he appears entirely two-dimensional; although stitched on for decoration.

The photo is made all the more amusing by the pet’s intense glare.

Text overlaying the photograph, which was shared on September 6, reads: “Why does Rodney look embroidered onto the chair?”

The baffling snap has gone viral on the discussion-based site, garnering more than 17,100 upvotes.

More than 180 people also took to the comments section to share their thoughts on the humorous post.

One Reddit user, New-Reaction5944, shares their theory on why the image looks so flat, writing: “Multiple angles with very diffused lighting, maybe a type of chandelier could do it.”

Another person, Thunder-bug, typed: “And he’s centered and in a pose that looks like it would be embroidered.”

MrHappy added: “Guy with a cat pillow wants internet to think he has a cat while he eats pizza alone.”

OnceIwasAboy joked: “If a piece goes missing, don’t blame Rodney, he was likely framed.”

Unchosen_Heroes stated: “Rodney: Please feed me that whole pizza. I need it to regain the third dimension I’ve lost on my starvation diet of not being fed whenever I ask for food.”

Dane-ish1 revealed: “My partner’s reaction: “Oh my god, we need to get cat-embroidered chairs! I don’t even know who Rodney is, but I’d happily have him embroidered on my chairs!”

CumingLinguist commented: “That’s actually a 2d decoy Rodney printed out to distract you, he’s sneaking up on the pizza from behind.”

DoJax wrote: “It focused so hard on not being seen by the foot it was hunting that is blended into the background.”

BunnyQatar admitted: “I’m smiling to myself imagining the adventures of a 2D cat named Rodney.”