Giuseppe Arcimboldo

Fantastic surrealist

Giuseppe Arcimboldo’s exact date of birth is not known, but he is probably born in around 1527 in Milan. At 21 he begins his painting career designing stained glass and frescoes. He spends over 10 years working alongside his father at Milan Cathedral. In 1562 he is called to the court at Prague by Emperor Maximilian II.

During the next 4 years Arcimboldo not only creates several portraits of the imperial family, but his 2 famous series as well, the 4 seasons and the 4 elements. In 1566 the painter returns to Italy for a while, by 1575 he is back at the court in Prague. Emperor Maximilian dies the same year. His successor Rudolf II continues to enjoy the artist’s services and Arcimboldo ends up working for the Hapsburgs for over 25 years.

Under Rudolf he completes another seasons cycle. The painter returns to Italy in 1587 and dies in his home city of Milan on July 11, 1593. Though acclaimed and celebrated during his lifetime, Arcimboldo’s works are soon forgotten after his death. We don’t see a revived interest in his fantastical creations until the end of the 19th century. Giuseppe Arcimboldo is recognised today as an outstanding artist who paved the way for modernism.