The artwork titled “Summer” was created by Giuseppe Arcimboldo in the year 1563. This piece, rendered in oil on canvas, belongs to the Mannerism (Late Renaissance) art movement. It measures 67 x 51 cm and falls under the genre of allegorical painting. “Summer” is part of the series “The Seasons” and is presently housed in the Louvre, Paris, France.
The artwork showcases a meticulously composed human profile constructed entirely from various summer fruits, vegetables, and plants. Arcimboldo employs a combination of ripe cherries, peaches, pears, and other succulent produce to form the facial features, while leafy greens and stalks create the hair and headdress. The body is adorned with woven grains, emphasizing the season of abundance and harvest. The detailed arrangement transforms natural elements into a cohesive and harmonious representation of summer, highlighting Arcimboldo’s innovative approach to portraiture and allegory.