Arcimboldo, Rudolf II as Vertumnus (1590-1591)

Provenance. After the death of Emperor Rudolf II in 1612, this painting remained in Prague, where it was recorded in the inventory of the imperial collections in 1621 and 1635. As the SAwedish army withdrew from Bohemia at the very end of the Thiry Years' War, they launched a surprise attack on Little Prague for the purpose of looting what was left of the imperial collection. In this way, this painting, along with hundreds of others, made its way to Sweden.  After display in the castles of  Konigsmarck (1648) and possibly Bogesund Castle (1680, 1728), it was moved to Skokloster Castle (between Stockholm and Uppsala) in 1845. 

Literature. Sylvia Ferino-Pagden (ed.), Archimboldo 1526-1593(Milan, 2007).