Arcimboldo, Bassano, Bruegel: Nature's Time

This richly illustrated book explores the connection between humankind, nature, and time through depictions of the cycles of the seasons and the months by Giuseppe Arcimboldo, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, and Jacopo Bassano. In the course of the sixteenth century, the study of nature gained prominence, aligning with the rise of the Scientific Revolution. Art became crucial in documenting the natural world, offering accessible visuals for scholarly work. Illustrations circulated among European courts, from the Medici to Emperor Rudolf II, fueling artistic and scientific curiosity. The book presents over 100 works of art from the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna and major international institutions, which highlight humanity's ongoing quest to understand its place in the world.