Guess the Artwork

Vertumnus by Giuseppe Arcimboldo c. 1590-1,  Skokloster Castle, Sweden

This is the portrait of Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor painted as Vertumnus, Roman God of the seasons.

The Emperor loved to have his portrait taken and had his portrait painted by many of the best artists of his day, including Hans von Aachen, Adrian de Vries, and this one by Giuseppe Arcimboldo (known also as Arcimboldi) is said to have been one of his favourites. 

In his typical style,  arranging a collection of fruits, vegetables or objects to form a recognizable likeness of the portrait subject, Arcimboldo created Rudolph’s image as the character of Vertumnus, the Roman God of plant life, growth, and the change of seasons, compiled of fresh fruit and vegetables.