Tongue in Cheek (or apple or flint or a piece of chicken in cheek)
The art of Arcimboldo, a current exhibit at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, is a show that will make you look long and hard at each painting to discern all of the elements that make up these amazing portraits. Arcimboldo depicts the four seasons in fanciful portraits composed of all manner of flora and fauna. The realism of each of the flowers, twigs, birds, fish, and vegetables is extraordinary. And he so perfectly melds each piece together to create these beautiful, and fun to explore, paintings.
Some portraits intricately incorporate professional tools to represent a particular occupation, such as The Librarian or the rather grotesque The Jurist.
From the Four Seasons to the Four Elements, each one made me smile. Study each painting and one discovers such amazing detail and often a wicked sense of humor.
Hurry: this must see exhibit is at the National Gallery of Art until January 9, 2011, or after that catch the show in Milan, Italy.
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3 comments:
I didn't realize it was leaving town this weekend and I had wanted to go!!
Guess you'll have to see it in Milan then.
Thank you so much for encouraging me to go to this exhibit. It was really great. Now I would like to go to Milan and see it again!
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