Jump to navigation Jump to content Jump to contact Jump to search Jump to search Jump to footer
Kunsthistorisches Museum

Arcimboldo – Bassano – Bruegel Nature's Time

11 March to 29 June 2025

Download Presskit

Press release

Arcimboldo – Bassano – Bruegel 

PDF
Exhibition Booklet
PDF
Four Seasons in One Head

Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1526–1593) 
c.1590 
Washington, National Gallery of Art, Paul Mellon Fund

Das Bild zeigt ein fantasievolles Gesicht zusammengesetzt aus Pflanzen und Früchten, die typisch für die vier Jahreszeiten sind. Darunter sind Äpfel, Trauben und Kirschen. Um das Gesicht sind Äste, Wurzeln und Blätter zu sehen, während die Unterseite wie eine Art Kragen mit Weizenähren und bunten Blumen verziert ist. Die farbenfrohe Darstellung symbolisiert die Natur und Fruchtbarkeit.
Summer

Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1526–1593) 
dated 1563 
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Picture Gallery 
© KHM-Museumsverband 

Das Bild zeigt ein Porträt mit einer menschlichen Figur, deren Kopf aus einer Vielzahl von Obst und Gemüse besteht. Die Figur trägt eine Kleidung aus Stroh und Getreide, die kunstvoll gestaltet ist. Insgesamt vermittelt das Bild eine Verbindung zur Natur und Fruchtbarkeit.
Winter

Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1526–1593) 
dated 1563 
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Picture Gallery 
© KHM-Museumsverband 

Ein groteskes Menschengesicht mit einer wilden Wurzel- und Pflanzenstruktur als Kopf, umhüllt von einem goldenen Gewand ähnlich einer Bastmatte. Ein Zweig mit einer Zitrone und einem Pfirsich steht aus dem Halsausschnitt des Gewandes hervor. Der Hintergrund ist dunkel, was den Fokus auf das Gesicht und die Früchte lenkt. Das Bild symbolisiert den Winter.
Earth

Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1526–1593) 
Earth 
c.1566 
Panel; 70 x 49 cm 
LIECHTENSTEIN, The Princely Collections,  
Vaduz – Vienna 
© LIECHTENSTEIN, The Princely Collections, 
Vaduz – Vienna/SCALA, Florence

The Earth, c. 1570 - Arcimboldo, Giuseppe (1527-1593)
Spring

Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1526–1593)  
Spring 
1555/60 
Panel; 68.3 × 57 cm 
Munich, Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen,  
Alte Pinakothek 
© bpk/Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen 

Allegorie des Frühlings
Summer (Sacrifice of Isaac)

Jacopo da Ponte, known as Jacopo Bassano (c. 1510–1592) 
c. 1576 
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Picture Gallery 
© KHM-Museumsverband 

Sleeping Shepherd

Jacopo dal Ponte, called Bassano (1510/12–1592)  
Sleeping Shepherd 
c.1568 
Canvas; 99.5 × 137.5 cm 
Budapest, Szépművészeti Múzeum 
© Szépművészeti Múzeum/Museum of Fine Arts

Summer

Francesco dal Ponte, called Bassano (1549–1592)  
Summer 
c.1580 
Canvas; 111 cm × 145.5 cm 
Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Picture Gallery 
© KHM-Museumsverband

June

Leandro dal Ponte, genannt Bassano (1557–1622) 
June 
1581/87 
Canvas; 145 × 216 cm 
Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Picture Gallery 
© KHM-Museumsverband

The Return of the Herd (Autumn)

Pieter Bruegel d. Ä. (um 1525/30–1569) 
dated 1565 
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Picture Gallery 
© KHM-Museumsverband

The Hunters in the Snow (Winter)

Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1525/30–1569) 
1565 
Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Picture Gallery 
© KHM-Museumsverband 

The Tree Philosophers

Giorgio da Castelfranco,  
called Giorgione (1477/78–1510) 
The Three Philosophers 
1508/09 
Canvas; 125.5 × 146.2 cm 
Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Picture Gallery 
© KHM-Museumsverband

Sprigs of Oak and Dyer’s Greenweed

Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)  
Sprigs of Oak (Quercus robur) and Dyer’s 
Greenweed (Genista tinctoria) 
1506/12 
Red chalk, touches of white chalk, on orange-red 
prepared paper; 188 × 154 mm 
The Royal Collection/HM King Charles III 
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025, 
Royal Collection Trust

Bouquet of Violets

Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528) 
Bouquet of Violets 
1495/1500 
Watercolour and gouache on vellum, highlighted with 
white, mounted on cardboard; 115 × 102 mm  
Vienna, Albertina 
© Albertina, Vienna

Dead European Roller

Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528) 
c. 1500 (?) 
© Vienna, Albertina

Map of the Northern Sky

Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528)  
Map of the Northern Sky 
1515 
Woodcut, coloured; 450 × 433 mm 
Staatliche Graphische Sammlung München 
© Staatliche Graphische Sammlung München

Taccuino di disegni

Giovannino de’ Grassi (documented in Milan c.1389–
1398) and Workshop  
Taccuino di disegni 
1385/1410 
Various techniques on parchment; 32 numbered 
leaves; 205 × 146 mm–260 × 186 mm 
Bergamo, Biblioteca Civica ‘Angelo Mai’ e Archivi 
Storici, Cassaf. 
© Biblioteca Civica Angelo Mai e Archivi storici

Die linke Seite einer zweiseitigen Tierstudie auf Pergamentpapier zeigt einen Damhirsch und darunter einen Rothirsch. Beide Tiere sind detailreich gezeichnet.
Taccuino di disegni

Giovannino de’ Grassi (documented in Milan c.1389–
1398) and Workshop  
Taccuino di disegni 
1385/1410 
Various techniques on parchment; 32 numbered 
leaves; 205 × 146 mm–260 × 186 mm 
Bergamo, Biblioteca Civica ‘Angelo Mai’ e Archivi 
Storici, Cassaf. 
© Biblioteca Civica Angelo Mai e Archivi storici

Die rechte Seite einer zweiseitigen Tierstudie auf Pergamentpapier zeigt einen Rothirsch mit großem Geweih, darunter liegt ein Leopard. Beide Tiere sind detailreich gezeichnet.
Exhibition view

Arcimboldo - Bassano - Bruegel
Exhibition view
© KHM-Museumsverband, Photo: Jakob Gsoellpointner

The image features two framed artworks on a dark blue wall. On the left is a stylized portrait resembling a head adorned with intricate details, while the right depicts a composition of animals stacked atop one another. A glass display case with open books is in the foreground.
Exhibition view

Arcimboldo - Bassano - Bruegel
Exhibition view
© KHM-Museumsverband, Photo: Jakob Gsoellpointner

The image shows an art gallery with three framed paintings displayed on a dark blue wall. In the foreground, a glass case holds an open old book. The gallery has wooden flooring, enhancing the overall exhibition atmosphere.
Exhibition view

Arcimboldo - Bassano - Bruegel
Exhibition view
© KHM-Museumsverband, Photo: Jakob Gsoellpointner

Two ornate paintings are displayed on a dark wall in a museum setting. The left artwork features figures engaged in various activities amidst a landscape, while the right depicts people gathering fruit and vegetables. Both pieces are framed in gold and provide a glimpse into historical scenes.
Exhibition view

Arcimboldo - Bassano - Bruegel
Exhibition view
© KHM-Museumsverband, Photo: Jakob Gsoellpointner

A gallery interior showcasing artworks, including a portrait of a man with a vase of flowers, surrounded by display cases with open books featuring botanical illustrations. There is a vibrant red wall in the background with more art visible. The floor is wooden with a herringbone pattern.
Exhibition view

Arcimboldo - Bassano - Bruegel
Exhibition view
© KHM-Museumsverband, Photo: Jakob Gsoellpointner

Three framed portraits display unique figures adorned with natural elements. The leftmost figure has a crown of branches, the center figure features a floral headdress, and the rightmost figure holds fruit. Below the portraits are exhibition labels and sketches on a blue table.
Exhibition view

Arcimboldo - Bassano - Bruegel
Exhibition view
© KHM-Museumsverband, Photo: Jakob Gsoellpointner

A framed painting depicts a face made of tree bark, fruits, and flowers. The figure is adorned with apples, cherries, and leaves, symbolizing nature and harvest. The background is a rich red, enhancing the artwork's vibrant colors and natural elements.
Exhibition view

Arcimboldo - Bassano - Bruegel
Exhibition view
© KHM-Museumsverband, Photo: Jakob Gsoellpointner

Three framed paintings are displayed in a gallery. The left painting depicts a snowy landscape with people and animals. The center painting features figures in a wooded area by a river. The right painting shows a vibrant scene with livestock and dramatic mountains in the background.
Exhibition view

Arcimboldo - Bassano - Bruegel
Exhibition view
© KHM-Museumsverband, Photo: Jakob Gsoellpointner

The image shows a museum exhibit featuring several framed portraits of individuals adorned with floral and decorative headpieces. They are displayed against a teal background, with descriptive labels and a glass case showcasing open books on a dark wooden bench.
Exhibition view

Arcimboldo - Bassano - Bruegel
Exhibition view
© KHM-Museumsverband, Photo: Jakob Gsoellpointner

Two paintings are displayed on dark green walls. The left painting depicts a pastoral scene with figures tending to animals and lush landscapes. The right painting features people working in a rural setting, surrounded by sheep and engaging in farming activities.

Press contact

Mag. Sarah Aistleitner
T +43 1 525 24 4025

Tanja Stigler
T +43 1 525 24 4019

presse@khm.at

Contact

Further Press Releases