Arcimboldo – Bassano – Bruegel Times of nature

In the mid-16th century, Jacopo Bassano explored the relationship between humans and nature in his biblical pastorals. He set religious scenes within the rural landscapes of Veneto, using them as a backdrop for episodes from the Old and New Testaments. His depictions of agricultural labor embedded everyday life in the cyclical rhythm of nature, imbued with deep spirituality. 

The Flemish painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder gave landscapes a new significance in his Cycle of the Seasons. He masterfully captured the interplay of light, weather phenomena, and atmospheric changes, depicting people in harmony with the rhythm of nature. His monumental portrayals of rural life were not just detailed glimpses into everyday existence but also invited reflection. 

Giuseppe Arcimboldo also created a fascinating cycle of the seasons – through the form of allegorical portraits. In his paintings, seasonal fruits, flowers, and animals merge into imaginative faces. In his Viennese works, he subtly incorporated references to the good governance of the Habsburgs, whose rule symbolized balance and continuity – just like the eternal cycle of nature.