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Arcimboldo: More Than Meets the Eye
The Hapsburg Dynasty’s court painter’s unique style of portraiture, using fruits, vegetables and animals to compose his faces -- has fascinated artists and the general public for centuries (03:56)
Produced by: Ryan R. Reed and Molly Roberts
Special Thanks to: David Brown
Related:
Arcimboldo's Feast for the Eyes
Renaissance artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo painted witty, even surreal portraits composed of fruits, vegetables, fish and trees
January 2011 |
By Abigail Tucker
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Comments (7)
In Roberto Bolano's 2004 novel, 2666, Arcimboldo is in fact a central trope. The first segment of the book is organized around European academics who are devoted to the obscure German novelist "Archimboldi," an elusive man no one seems to have met. The last segment tells the story of that novelist including his military service for Germany in World War II; during the course of a convalescence he finds the hidden papers of a Bolshevik Revolutionary Russian Jew who writes at length about Arcimboldo and describes his paintings as "perfect happiness." After the war, the soldier writes his first book using the pen-name Archimboldi.
Posted by Juanita Rice, PhD on January 2,2013 | 10:50 AM
What a wonderful presentation by David Brown. I have seen the exhibit at the NGA with the assistance and presentation of David M. Gariff, Phd who did a marvelous job of presenting the subliminal Arcimboldo. While many of us are familiar with his paintings the true meaning and history of this artist was wonderful. The video captures the moment.
Posted by John J. Hindinger on January 12,2011 | 11:31 AM
Very creative and interesting from another artist. Insiring!
Posted by Patricia M. Morgan on January 7,2011 | 11:45 PM
Thank you for posting this article with so many pictures and the excellent text by the Glallery Director.
Superb paintings and very fun and funny.
Posted by Ludmila Foster on January 3,2011 | 06:40 PM
I read the article first and then visited the website to see the short video. (which provided more pictures, than the magazine--- Thank you). I love art such as this, I love to find things in things it makes viewing the artwork that much more interesting when you see something beyond what you are "suppose" to see. The upside down paintings are genius.
Posted by Christine Daniels on December 28,2010 | 11:53 PM
What a wonderful video of such a genius as well as playful artist. The paintings are wonderful seen live at the Louvre but this video captures the charming tale of this talented and under-appreciated magical artist. Thank you for making this video available and encouraging a trip to the National Gallery.
Posted by Alicia Bucko on December 23,2010 | 01:39 AM
Almost mc escher-esque: something new to find whenever you look. What a treasure we have in a National Museum where, even geographically far, we can all enjoy such intriguing dispplays!
Posted by Diane Fleming-Haynes on December 22,2010 | 11:51 AM