Arcimboldo: Nature and Fantasy

Produced by the National Gallery of Art in conjunction with an exhibition of the Italian artist's paintings, filmmaker Carroll Moore's half-hour biography of Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1526–1593) presents both an outline of his career and an introduction to his highly idiosyncratic style. Although a native of Milan, Arcimboldo primarily worked at the court of the German emperors in Vienna and Prague (the documentary features footage shot in all three locations), and is best known for painting human portraits using carefully arranged combinations of flowers, fruits, vegetables, and animals. Narrated by Isabella Rossellini, the film concentrates on the artist's witty style, arguing that it not only reflects Arcimboldo's sense of humor but also represents a mixture of art and science and a fascination with the discoveries, particularly of flora and fauna, being made during 16th-century European exploration. Emphasis is given here to the artist's series personifying the four elements—air, earth, fire, and water—which remain his most celebrated works. Arcimboldo's reputation declined after his death, until he was rediscovered and embraced by the surrealists of the late-19th century as forerunners of their movement. DVD extras include a close analysis of “Earth,” and a photo gallery. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (F. Swietek)