throughmirrorA different way of seeing
Vertumnus — Rudolf II appears as a face assembled from fruit, flowers, and vegetables.
Look closely. Let the image settle.
Illusions in painting / 1591

Vertumnus

Rudolf II appears as a face assembled from fruit, flowers, and vegetables.

TRY THIS

First identify the face. Then zoom in and inventory the fruits and flowers that create it.

FOLLOW THE SOURCES

History, evidence & image credit

THE IMAGE IN THIS ARCHIVE

Giuseppe Arcimboldo

Original file & attribution · Public domain

This locally stored image is a Wikimedia Commons rendition (resized or rendered from the source file). The full original is linked from the source record. Gallery previews may be resized or converted to WebP; animated previews show the first frame.

Download image

Frequently asked questions

What is Vertumnus?

Rudolf II appears as a face assembled from fruit, flowers, and vegetables.

What should I look for in Vertumnus?

First identify the face. Then zoom in and inventory the fruits and flowers that create it.

What explains Vertumnus?

Each plant remains recognizable while also taking the place of a facial feature. Recognition alternates between the individual produce and the unified portrait.

Another way to see it

Explore this category
The Ambassadors — A double portrait with a skull that emerges from an oblique view.

The Ambassadors

Hans Holbein the Younger

A double portrait with a skull that emerges from an oblique view.

Vertumnus — Rudolf II appears as a face assembled from fruit, flowers, and vegetables.

Vertumnus