Poppies—Art Bead Scene September challenge

Flora by Arcimboldo

When I saw the inspiration painting for Art Bead Scene’s September challenge—Flora, by Giuseppe Arcimboldo—I was blown away!  The painting is stunning, a portrait composed entirely of flowers. Although it was painted more than 400 years ago, it looks like something from a 20th century Surrealist artist.

From Art Bead Scene, some information about the painting:

About the Art

Flora is one of Arcimboldo’s most famous paintings, painted at the same time as Vertumnus, when he was at the height of his career. Although his work was forgotten after his death, over the last 100 years it has grown in popularity to be included in many contemporary forms. This particular painting was used as the 2009 cover for the album “Bonfires on the Heath” by the English pop band The Clientele.

About the Artist

Giuseppe Arcimboldo was an Italian Renaissance painter known for his intricate paintings, which combined inanimate or found objects into a portrait that would resemble the portrait subject. At the age of 22, Arcimboldo received a commission to paint stained glass windows, and later received other commissions to paint frescoes and design tapestries for Cathedrals in Spain. In 1562, he became the court painter to Ferdinand I of Vienna, and later for Maximilien II and his son Rudolph II of Prague. At this time, he was also employed as the court decorator and costume designer.

Serendipitously, I had just purchased a polymer clay pendant from Rebekah Payne of Tree Wings Studio that was perfect! I paired Rebekah’s Poppies in Bloom pendant with a Czech glass blend from Etsy’s Beads by C, antique brass chain and clasp, and some sari silk ribbon to make my Poppies necklace.

And here is a closeup of the focal pendant. Lovely isn’t it!