The Four Seasons by Giuseppe Arcimboldo

Giuseppe Arcimboldo was born in 1527 in Milan. He was Italian maniersit painter. He created in original way portraits and figural compositions which included elements of still life, arranged in a facial image or scene. He died in 1593 also in Milan.

He created between 1563 - 1573 a series of "The Four Seasons": "Spring", "The Summer", "Autumn" and "Winter". In this work we can see a change of season with the art.

"Spring" is the first oil painting and it shows left profile of a young woman who has got a green robe which is made of various styles of green leaves. Her hair is a number of colorful flowers which are located on the meadows at this time of year. Her jewelry is also in the form of flowers. This image shows the fullness of life and vitality.

"Spring"

In the image showing "The Summer" we can see the right part of the human head which is arranged by fruits and vegetables. Here we can see many kinds of fruits and vegetables which show the various parts of the body such as: lips which are made from grapes, pear was used to present the beard, cheek is shown with apples, nose with cucumber and ears are made from corn cobs. We can see here also grain, which means the wealth of the seasons - summer. Can be noted that the eyes of the characters are facing down. This figure does not have a hat but on the head we see lush still lifes. This picture is located in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.

"Summer"

The "Autumn" presents a mature man who is fully aged. This picture presents fruits which are suitable for this season. Here we see apple, melons, grape shoots and grapes.This man has got body of the barrel.

 "Autumn"

The last image "Winter" presents the old man. His head is covered with branches and small leaves, his nose is presented as a tree trunk. Beard and eyebrows are small branches of trees. We can tell that his lips are hubs.
The old age in this image is shown also by old wrinkled neck which contrasts with the branch of oranges and lemons because these fruits show the youth.

"Winter"

In my opinion "The Four Seasons" is a metaphor for human life because spring is the silhouette of a young girl, summer is the young man, autumn shows the man in the prime of life and the winter is a picture showing the old man. Looking at the seasons of the year, we can see at the same time four periods in the life of each of us.