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Arcimboldo's Unusual Portraits

Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1527-1593) was an Italian-born painter who was summoned to be the Imperial Court Artist in Prague in 1562 and almost spontanteously began his original and unusual method of portraiture. He invented a style of portrait painting consisting of painted animals, flowers, fruit, and objects composed to form a human likeness. He has been seen by some as the forerunner of Surrealism in the 20th century, but in reality he is a unique artist at the end of the Renaissance.

Look at the pictures below, see how he paints seemingly simple objects, then click on the image to see the full picture!
Paintings by Giuseppe Arcimboldo

A nice little painting of flowers ...?


Paintings by Giuseppe Arcimboldo

A collection of fruits and vegetables ...?


Paintings by Giuseppe Arcimboldo

Grapes and a mushroom, among other things ...?


Paintings by Giuseppe Arcimboldo

The branches and roots of a small plant ...?


Paintings by Giuseppe Arcimboldo

A stack of books with a lot of bookmarks ...?


Paintings by Giuseppe Arcimboldo

A featherless bird and a turkey drumstick ...?



If you would like to learn more about this remarkable artist, please consider the books below: