Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1526-1593) was an Italian Renaissance painter known for his portraits of fruit, vegetables, flowers and animals. Born in Milan, he began his career as a classical artist, working on stained glass and frescoes. Some time later, he became court painter to the Habsburgs, where he produced his most famous works, playing with illusion and surrealist compositions. His allegorical portraits, like the Seasons and Elements series, made him a precursor of Surrealism.
