Giuseppe Arcimboldi Collection

Four Seasons in One Head, c. 1590. Creator: Giuseppe Arcimboldi
Four Seasons in One Head, c. 1590

The Lawyer, possibly Ulrich Zasius, 1461-1536, humanist, jurist, 1566. Creator: Giuseppe Arcimboldi
The Lawyer, possibly Ulrich Zasius, 1461-1536, humanist, jurist, 1566

Spring and Summer: two heads made from flora typical of those seasons, ca. 1580-1620. ca. 1580-1620 Creator: Anon
Spring and Summer: two heads made from flora typical of those seasons, ca. 1580-1620

Autumn and Winter: two heads made from flora typical of those seasons, ca. 1580-1620. ca. 1580-1620 Creator: Anon
Autumn and Winter: two heads made from flora typical of those seasons, ca. 1580-1620

Instruments of Human Sustenance (Humani Victus Instrumenta): Agriculture, after 1569. In the manner of Giuseppe Arcimboldo

Vertumnus - Rudolf II, c1590. Artist: Giuseppe Arcimboldi
Vertumnus - Rudolf II, c1590. Rudolph II (1552-1612), Holy Roman Emperor from 1576, as Vertumnus, ancient Roman god of seasons who presided over gardens and orchards

Winter, 1563. Artist: Giuseppe Arcimboldi
Winter, 1563. From the Four Seasons series. From the Gemaldegalerie, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Fire, 1566. Artist: Giuseppe Arcimboldi
Fire, 1566. One of the four images in the Elements series. From the Gemaldegalerie, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Earth, 1570. Artist: Giuseppe Arcimboldi
Earth, 1570. One of the four images in the Elements series. From a private collection

Flora, c1591. Artist: Giuseppe Arcimboldi
Flora, c1591. Still life of the head and shoulders of a woman made of flowers. From a private collection

The Cook, c1570. Artist: Giuseppe Arcimboldi
The Cook, c1570. This image can be interpreted in two ways, either as a cook taking the lid off a dish of sucking pigs or, if turned upside down, as the head of the cook. From a private collection

Costume design for a costume for a dragon, 16th century. Artist: Giuseppe Arcimboldi
Costume design for a costume for a dragon, 16th century. From the Department of Prints and Drawings, Florence

Design for a costume for a cook, 16th century. Artist: Giuseppe Arcimboldi
Design for a costume for a cook, 16th century. From the Department of Prints and Drawings, Florence

Costume designs for allegorical characters, 16th century. Artist: Giuseppe Arcimboldi
Costume designs for allegorical characters, 16th century. From the Department of Prints and Drawings, Florence

Costume designs for classical deities, 16th century. Artist: Giuseppe Arcimboldi
Costume designs for classical deities, 16th century. Diana/Artemis and Mars/Ares. From the Department of Prints and Drawings, Florence

Costume design for classical figures, 16th century. Artist: Giuseppe Arcimboldi
Costume design for classical figures, 16th century. Top left: Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC), Roman orator and statesman. Top right: Euclid (active 300 BC), Greek mathematician

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Giuseppe Arcimboldi, a renowned Italian artist from the 16th century, was a master of creating captivating and unique artworks. One of his most famous pieces is "Four Seasons in One Head, " painted around 1590. In this masterpiece, he skillfully combines elements representing each season into a single portrait. It's truly remarkable how he seamlessly blends Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter into one harmonious composition. Arcimboldi's talent for incorporating nature into his artwork is evident in "Spring and Summer" as well as "Autumn and Winter. " These two series of heads are adorned with flora typical of their respective seasons. The vibrant colors and intricate details bring these portraits to life, showcasing Arcimboldi's ability to capture the essence of each time of year. Another notable work by Arcimboldi is "Instruments of Human Sustenance (Humani Victus Instrumenta): Agriculture, " created after 1569. This painting depicts various tools used in agriculture throughout history. It serves as a reminder that our sustenance relies on the hard work and dedication of farmers who cultivate the land. One cannot discuss Arcimboldi without mentioning his extraordinary portrait titled "Vertumnus - Rudolf II, " completed around 1590. This piece showcases his exceptional talent for combining different fruits and vegetables to create an astonishingly realistic representation of Emperor Rudolf II. Arcimboldi also explored other themes beyond nature-inspired compositions. His works such as "Winter" (1563), "Fire" (1566), "Earth" (1570), and even costume designs like those for a dragon or cook demonstrate his versatility as an artist. "The Cook, " painted around 1570, exemplifies Arcimboldi's ability to transform everyday objects into extraordinary art forms. By meticulously arranging kitchen utensils to form a human face, he challenges our perception while celebrating culinary craftsmanship.