Art, Giuseppe Arcimboldo

Giuseppe Arcimboldo
(1527-1593)

Giuseppe Arcimboldo was famous all over Europe during his lifetime but became a virtual unknown after his death in 1593. No one had previously painted his type of abstruse, fantasy Art. Most of his original paintings have been ‘lost’ over the years but those we do have are now regarded as the masterpieces they truly are. His work underwent a ‘revival’ toward the end of the 19th century and has been gaining in popularity ever since. Apart from these unusual fantasy pictures, he probably painted many more traditional ones, but most of these are among the ‘lost’ European works of art, they have simply disappeared.
In 1562, Giuseppe Arcimboldo became a court painter of Emperor Ferdinand I (Habsburg) and set up home in Vienna, after which he moved to Prague. During his 2 years, service to  Ferdinand I, he painted several portraits of the Imperial family as well as the first series of his Four Seasons. The artistic concept of these pictures of 1563 was unique and laid the foundation of Arcimboldo’s success as a painter. It is well documented  that the Monarchs of Europe and most of  his contemporaries were enthusiastic and appreciative of his unique style. His uniqueness made him a favourite of several Habsburg Emperors.
When Emperor Ferdinand I died, in 1564, he was succeeded by Emperor Maximilian II (1527-1576), Arcimboldo continued as court artist for Maximilian.
A large number of pictures were painted between 1564 and 1576, but only very few of them are known to us: Water and Fire (1566), The Lawyer (1566), The Cook (1570) another series of the Four Seasons in 1572, two series of Four Seasons in 1573, including Spring (1573), Summer (1573), Autumn (1573), Winter (1573).

In 1575 Arcimboldo was commissioned to paint several works for the private chambers of the Emperor, in addition too painting, Arcimboldo also had other Court duties at the Imperial court. He acted as architect, stage designer, engineer, water engineer and art specialist. Due to his extensive knowledge he was able to influence Emperor Maximilian II on a variety of issues. After Maximilian II, Emperor Rudolph II (1552-1612) also took Arcimboldo into his service. The eleven years Arcimboldo spent with Rudolph II became the best and most productive of his career.

Comparatively little is known of Arcimboldo’s activities as an artist at the Imperial court, we know he painted The Four Seasons twice in 1577, he dedicated a red leather folio containing 150 pen-and-ink drawings to the Emperor in 1585, and that he organized a number of festive processions and tournaments during that same year. He is a completely unique, original and multi-talented man whose genius was forgotten for many, many years. The rest of his amasing paintings are in an album here;

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delete reply bennett1 wrote on Feb 9, '09 Children just love stuff like this; unlike us they are not bound by convention.

delete reply veryfrank wrote on Feb 8, '09 Here is a page from a catalogue of teaching aids for art teachers. The book has a target audience of children ages 6 through 13. Adventures in Art: Giuseppe Arcimboldo: "Hello Fruit Face" In the fantastic portraits by the 16th-century Italian painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo, compositions of fruit, vegetables, flowers, and books, animals, or garden tools magically turn into vivid depictions of beautiful young women, weathered old men, or the personifications of the seasons and the elements. This volume brings together some of the most curious and inventive of his works which went to make Arcimboldo a celebrated artist in court circles and a unique painter in the history of art. Open up the world of art to your young children through this entertaining and easy to understand set of books. Each book presents a famous artist and his work in a way that will stimulate your students' own creativity. Full-color reproductions and interesting page designs will captivate your students. Grades 3 to 8

delete reply acousticeagle wrote on Feb 8, '09 Back in the day where there was no mass media, people liked things that amused them, and paintings were often more than met the eye with symbolism, etc. These paintings would give the viewer things to discover and feel amusement at. A most unusual artist, he must have been a real 'fruit'!

delete reply bennett1 wrote on Feb 8, '09 His pictures are very interesting - almost haunting. I am glad he was recognized in his lifetime.

delete reply hedgewitch9 wrote on Feb 8, '09 As I said on other page - many many thanks - you are a treasure doing these pages for us :)))

delete reply djdx wrote on Feb 8, '09 His work is so much fun.

delete reply starfishred wrote on Feb 8, '09 they are so funky but so very interesting-thnks loretta