A Grotesque Head with a Helmet in the Style of Arcimboldo

Dominicus Custos, 1594

This imaginary head was devised by the Augsburg printmaker Dominicus Custos. The face consists of roasted poultry between two metal bowls. Two chicken heads serve as eyes, while an outstretched leg suggests a moustache. The composition is strongly reminiscent of paintings by Giuseppe Arcimboldo (c. 1526-1593), who specialized in heads composed of all kinds of vegetables, fruit or roasted game.

  • Artwork typeprint
  • Object numberRP-P-2012-51
  • Dimensionsheight 251 mm x width 300 mm
  • Physical characteristicsgravure

Identification

  • Title(s)

    A Grotesque Head with a Helmet in the Style of Arcimboldo

  • Object type

  • Object number

    RP-P-2012-51

  • Description

    Groteske kop met een gezicht opgebouwd uit geplukt gevogelte en twee schalen die een helm en een halskraag verbeelden. Over de ''helm'' is een doek gedrapeerd.

  • Inscriptions / marks

    watermark: Briquet 2119

  • Catalogue reference

    Hollstein German 52


Creation

  • Creation

    • printmaker: Dominicus Custos
    • after design by Dominicus Custos (attributed to)
    • publisher: Dominicus Custos (mentioned on object)
    • inspirator: Giuseppe Arcimboldo
  • Dating

    1594

  • Search further with


Material and technique

  • Physical description

    gravure

  • Dimensions

    height 251 mm x width 300 mm


This work is about

  • Subject


Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    Purchased with the support of the F.G. Waller-Fonds

  • Acquisition

    purchase 2012-04-13

  • Copyright


Documentation

  • Nicolaas Teeuwisse, Selected works Tefaf 2012, nr. 29 Nicolaas Teeuwisse, Selected works XII (2012), nr. 7


Persistent URL