Summer (Follower) Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1526-1593)

The composition presents a striking allegorical figure, seemingly embodying a season – likely summer – through a complex interplay of human features and abundant produce. The face, rendered with a muted palette of olive greens and browns, is framed by a crown or wreath of golden wheat stalks, immediately suggesting themes of harvest and fertility. The eyes are dark and somewhat shadowed, lending an air of solemnity to the figure’s expression.
The most arresting element is the integration of various fruits and vegetables into the very structure of the face and neck. A cascade of produce – watermelons, peaches, plums, pears, gourds, garlic bulbs, and leafy greens – forms a dense, almost overwhelming mass that obscures much of the body below the shoulders. The arrangement isnt merely decorative; it actively constructs the figure’s form, with fruits acting as cheeks, chin, and even part of the jawline. This blurring of boundaries between human and natural elements is central to the painting’s meaning.
The color scheme reinforces this sense of abundance and ripeness. Warm yellows and oranges dominate, punctuated by the deep purples of plums and the vibrant green of foliage. The background is a hazy expanse of muted greens and blues, which serves to isolate the figure and intensify its presence.
Subtextually, the work explores the cyclical nature of life and the close relationship between humanity and the natural world. The figure’s face, while human in form, is ultimately subsumed by the bounty it represents, suggesting a dependence on – and perhaps even an identification with – the fruits of the earth. The solemnity of the expression could be interpreted as acknowledging the fleeting nature of summers abundance, hinting at the inevitable transition to autumn and winter. The inclusion of garlic, often associated with protection and warding off evil, might also suggest a concern for preserving this bounty or safeguarding against its loss. Overall, the painting conveys a sense of rich fertility tempered by an awareness of time’s passage and the fragility of abundance.