Nature studies
by Giuseppe ARCIMBOLDO

In the middle of the sixteenth century the interest for natural sciences began to establish itself in European courts. Fascinated by the immeasurable wealth of new, hitherto unknown plants and animals from overseas and the New World, Grand Dukes Francesco I and Ferdinando I of Tuscany, Duke Francesco Maria II della Rovere, King Philip I of Spain, Duke Albrecht V of Bavaria and above all Maximilian II and Rudolf II all encouraged scientific research. Emperor Maximilian II, Arcimboldo's principal patron, recruited the most famous botanists of his time, and he had an equally large interest for animals.

There is a codex in the manuscript collection of the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna, which contains original studies of animals drawn from nature. Some of these drawings can be related to Arcimboldo's painting Earth, and it was suggested that Arcimboldo was the author of a group of drawings to be found in this codex (Codex min. 42). The contents of the codex are representations of animals and plants.

Two other codices in the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek in Vienna, denoted as cod. min. 129 and 130 belonged to an ambitious undertaking which was later known as the "Museum of Emperor Rudolf II." They contain gouache paintings on parchment depicting mammals and birds. Most of the folios were created in the period between 1575 and 1611 with cooperation by Giuseppe Arcimboldo, Hans Hoffmann, Dirck de Quade van Ravesteyn and Daniel Fröschel. None of the folios are signed and only one is dated.

Preview Picture Data File Info Comment
Nature studies
-
Watercolour on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

651*1400
True Color
109 Kb



Nature studies
-
Watercolour on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

900*1117
True Color
87 Kb



Nature studies
-
Watercolour on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

1024*1300
True Color
118 Kb



Nature studies
-
Watercolour on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

1000*1061
True Color
93 Kb



Red-flanked Duiker
-
Watercolour
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

1082*850
True Color
65 Kb



Nature studies
-
Watercolour on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

1175*1000
True Color
104 Kb



Nature studies
-
Watercolour on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

789*1200
True Color
56 Kb



Blackbuck
1570
Watercolour and gouache
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

1000*1164
True Color
90 Kb



Nature studies
-
Watercolour on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

900*1106
True Color
68 Kb



Study of a Goat's Deformed Hoof
1563
Watercolour and gouache
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

785*1200
True Color
106 Kb



Nature studies
-
Watercolour on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

1100*1169
True Color
108 Kb



Nature studies
1575
Watercolour on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

849*1300
True Color
83 Kb



Study of a Lesser Kestrel and Flowers
-
Watercolour and gouache
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

800*1099
True Color
80 Kb



Nature studies
1578
Watercolour on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

900*1216
True Color
61 Kb



Nature studies
1577
Watercolour on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

1048*1300
True Color
99 Kb



Nature studies
1576
Watercolour on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

1100*910
True Color
75 Kb



Blue-Headed Quail-Dove
1577
Watercolour and gouache
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

1168*900
True Color
76 Kb



Nature studies
1577
Watercolour on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

1300*1048
True Color
104 Kb



Study of a Helmeted Curassow
1571
Watercolour and gouache
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

1000*1218
True Color
98 Kb



Study of a Featherless Three-Footed Chick
1571
Watercolour and gouache
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

880*1020
True Color
95 Kb



Nature studies
-
Watercolour on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

1100*851
True Color
81 Kb



Composition with Animals
-
Watercolour and gouache
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

1300*890
True Color
162 Kb



Study of a Lizard, a Chameleon and a Salamander
1553
Watercolour and gouache
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

1000*1040
True Color
136 Kb



Study of an Indian Mongoose
1572
Watercolour and gouache
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

1209*770
True Color
86 Kb



Mammals
-
Gouache on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

985*1300
True Color
134 Kb



Mammals
-
Gouache on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

988*1300
True Color
136 Kb



Birds
-
Gouache on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

959*1300
True Color
133 Kb



Birds
-
Gouache on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

964*1300
True Color
110 Kb



Birds
-
Gouache on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

956*1300
True Color
99 Kb



Birds
-
Gouache on parchment
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

953*1300
True Color
103 Kb




Summary of works by Arcimboldo
Paintings
Early works in Milan
Portraits for the Holy Roman Emperor
Allegories of the Seasons and the Elements
Composite and reversible heads
Graphics
Nature studies
Costumes and drawings for court festivities
Treatise on silk culture and manufacture
Various drawings