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The Vegetable Gardener — A bowl of vegetables becomes a face when the image is turned upside down.
Look closely. Let the image settle.
Illusions in painting / c. 1587–1590

The Vegetable Gardener

A bowl of vegetables becomes a face when the image is turned upside down.

TRY THIS

Press Rotate 180° and compare the vegetables with the face.

FOLLOW THE SOURCES

History, evidence & image credit

THE IMAGE IN THIS ARCHIVE

Giuseppe Arcimboldo

Original file & attribution · Public domain

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Frequently asked questions

What is The Vegetable Gardener?

A bowl of vegetables becomes a face when the image is turned upside down.

What should I look for in The Vegetable Gardener?

Press Rotate 180° and compare the vegetables with the face.

What explains The Vegetable Gardener?

Inversion changes which edges and shadows are interpreted as eyes, a nose, a mouth, and a hat. The same painted objects support two coherent readings.

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The Vegetable Gardener — A bowl of vegetables becomes a face when the image is turned upside down.

The Vegetable Gardener