Sotheby’s Old Masters Online auction offers an attractive selection of still lifes, the highlight of which is this fascinating anthropomorphic Allegory of Spring. Based on Arcimboldo's 1573 painting of spring in the Musée du Louvre, Paris, the present painting from afar might look like a mere head in profile, but up close it's an incredibly accurate depiction of lush greenery and colorful flora. Under Arcimboldo's influence, the artist created a human portrait cleverly composed of blossoming flowers, purposefully selecting and strategically placing individual elements to create the anatomical shape of a human. Click through to learn more about the symbols in this painting that allude to the spring season.
Old Masters Online
10–24 April | Online