The Four Elements is a series of four oil paintings by the Italian artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo which were created in 1566, during the Renaissance, for Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor.
Air is represented by birds, Fire by burning wood and cannons, Earth by land animals and Water by marine creatures.
The series attempts to express the creation of harmony from chaos by the careful arrangement of the wild animals to form portraits whilst also praising Maximilian by suggesting that he is a ruler who controls even the four primal elements.
The animals that make up her head are obscure but a clear crown is formed by the spines on the back of a fish and long pieces of coral.
Almost seeming out of place, a pearl necklace lies across her neck framing her face and completing the pattern of order from confusion.
Both series have the same number of pieces, and logically correspond to each other; Air to Spring, Fire to Summer, Earth to Autumn and Water to Winter.