Autumn

The Autumn by Giuseppe Arcimboldo, was created in 1573 as part of a series of paintings depicting the four seasons, commissioned by Emperor Maximilian II of Habsburg, who wanted to make a diplomatic gift to one of his allies, in gratitude for his support for the election of his son to the throne of the Holy Roman Empire.

An anthropomorphic still life With a blend of fruit and vegetables characteristic of the corresponding period of the year, Arcimboldo represents Autumn with the face of a middle-aged man, whose features could be similar to those of Bacchus, god of wine, festivity and drunkenness.

While retaining the natural appearance of each element, Arcimboldo succeeds in arranging them to form a face. Thus, Autumn is crowned with grapes combined with vine leaves, and dressed in a burst barrel, since the grape harvest takes place in autumn. His nose is composed of a pear and his mouth, of an open bug, revealing a chestnut. To find out more about the different elements that make up the face, listen to the audio-guide!

An allegory of life and power The face of the character in Automn is borrowed from that of a middle-aged man, in the continuity of the cycle of the seasons. Spring has the face of a young man, Summer is embodied by a man in the prime of life, while the face of an old man in Winter is made up of dried fruit and vegetables. The cycle in which the representation of Autumn is set is therefore an allegory of the ages of life and the passing of time.

The anthropomorphic representation of the Seasons is also an allegory of the power of King Maximilian II, who reigns not only over mankind, but also over immense territories, reflecting his wealth. In addition, the abundance of fruit and vegetables and the cyclical nature of the seasons reaffirm the prosperity and stability of the rulers' reign in a troubled political climate.