Arcimboldo exhibition at Centre Pompidou-Metz co-curated by Maurizio Cattelan

On May 29, 2021, the Centre Pompidou-Metz opened 'Face à Arcimboldo', an exhibition co-curated by director Chiara Parisi, Maurizio Cattelan, and Anne Horvath. The show repositions Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1526–1593) as a precursor to Surrealism and 20th-century avant-gardes, moving beyond his reputation as a minor, mysterious portraitist. His composite heads—built from fruits, vegetables, flowers, and animals—are juxtaposed with works by Mario Merz, Francis Bacon, Max Ernst, Marcel Duchamp, Penny Slinger, Ewa Juszkiewicz, Gilbert & George, Tetsumi Kudo, and the Campana brothers. The installation, designed by Berger & Berger, uses neutral grey concrete bricks to encourage free movement across centuries. Key loans include Giorgio de Chirico's 'The Painter's Family' from Tate London. The exhibition builds on Pontus Hultén's 1980s show 'Effetto Arcimboldo' at Palazzo Grassi, adding works by Francesco Zucchi, Pompeian frescoes, and contemporary pieces. The show has been a success, attracting young visitors.