The Four Seasons -- Botanical Garden Style

Not long ago, I read an article written by one of my art idols, Lynne Perrella.  She wrote about a visit she and her husband made to the New York Botanical Garden (yes, the word Garden is NOT pluralized) to see an incredible exhibit.

Contemporary artist Philip Haas has rendered three dimensional representations of the work of Italian Renaissance painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo.  Arcimboldo painted portraits in which all the features are plant material corresponding to each season.  Haas' work is amazing.....fifteen feet tall, and made of painted fiberglass.

I quickly organized a mini road trip with Pat and Teri, and we had a wonderful day; first our visit to the Garden, and then, a great lunch at Roberto's in the Little Italy of the Bronx, followed by shopping for food items up and down Arthur Avenue.

 

 

First of all, here's a look at Arcimboldo's four seasons.

 

 

 

 

And now, what we saw at the Garden.

 

 

Summer and spring facing one another.

 

 

 Below, winter, an old man.

Summer, a young man, full of the bounty of the season, fresh fruit and vegetables.

 

 

 



Spring, a youthful boy, comprised of 80 varieties of flowers.

 

 

Autumn is a mature man, comprised of the nuts, gourds, and grapes of the fall harvest.

 

We did a bit of walking, and at every turn there was something beautiful to photograph.

 

 

 

The Four Seasons remains on exhibit until October 27.  If you live anywhere near NYC, try and get there (we used 1/2 price Groupons to get in; check and see if they're still available), and by all means, make a day of it and include a visit to Little Italy.