Vertumnus: Portrait of Rudolf II. This portrait was painted in 1590 by Giuseppe Arcimboldo, an Italian painter (1527-1593). I have found sources that said it was painted with oil on panel and oil on wood. The painting itself is 70.5 x 57.5 cm. The work was commissioned by the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph II. Arcimboldo was granted the title of Count of Palantine after he completed the portrait because Rudolf II was so pleased with it.
In the painting, the model takes the form of Vertumnus, the Roman god of seasons, change, plant growth, gardens, and fruit trees. He is composed entirely of fruits, vegetables, and flowers in the portrait. Archimboldo created a number of paintings with the same form: a larger figure composed of a conglomeration of related objects. For example, he painted another portrait titled The Librarian in which the subject is composed of books. Some speculate whether or not this form of painting by Arcimboldo suggests he had a mental illness, however most art critics believe this bizarre, unique creativity is fitting for the time period.
Archimboldo was popular in his lifetime, however after he died people lost interest in his work for over 300 years. In the early twentieth century when the Surrealist movement was gaining ground, Archimboldo again came into sight. His work has influenced artists such a Salvador Dali.
Sources
http://rhetoricaldevice.com/images/arcimboldo/vertumnus.jpg
http://arthistory.about.com/od/from_exhibitions/ig/arcimboldo_paris/gaml1007_12.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertumnus
http://www.lifeasmyth.com/journalWatershedArcimboldo.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Arcimboldo
http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/giuseppe-arcimboldo/vertumnus-emperor-rudolph-ii
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