Description of the painting by Giuseppe Archimboldo “Flora”

Description of the painting by Giuseppe Archimboldo Flora

A human portrait consisting of flowers – this is how one can characterize the work of Giuseppe Arcimboldo called “Flora”. The buds and petals make up the facial features and the collar, and the clothing itself is made of falling leaves. On the head there is a bright wreath, in the center of which is a red lily. From the collar, in its lower part, looks like a flashlight, a yellow lily. In this portrait turned out as alive.

The eyes have their expression. It seems that the flora from the portrait is watching us. This can only be achieved by a true master of painting. Archimboldo liked the freshness and originality of the ideas of King Rudolph, to whom this picture was intended as a gift, becoming one of the artist’s later works. Previously, he experimented with a similar theme, creating portraits from the gifts of nature and various objects. So there was his famous cycle “Seasons”. True, there is mainly exploited the theme of a male portrait. In general, in the genre of portrait still life in Arcimboldo men are much more common. Here we see a woman who smiles.

Is it because the flower petals are so tender and so tight to each other? After all, the author of the picture had to show exactly the female body. Therefore, it should not be sharp rough transitions. It must be devoid of any brutality. It must be the real goddess of flowers. But, alas, she looks elderly: after all, the contours of the flowers resemble wrinkles, but the old woman’s face can be beautiful, if it is lit up with a smile and a radiant look. Flora is not an old woman, but rather a middle-aged lady, wise by experience. This is evident in her view. It is not peculiar to young creatures of arrogance, her state is balanced, her kindness is written on her face,


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Description of the painting by Giuseppe Archimboldo “Flora”