Rudolf II (1552–1612) of the Habsburg dynasty reigned as Holy Roman Emperor, establishing his court in Prague.

He is known as an exceptional collector and a patron of the arts.

Rudolf II amassed a vast collection that could be described as a "cabinet of curiosities," transforming Prague into a major hub of European art and culture.

This exhibition, held at Bunkamura The Museum and other venues, primarily showcases artworks and crafts created by the distinguished individuals who gathered at Rudolf II's court from the late 16th to the early 17th century.

Journeying further back in time, the exhibition also offers ample opportunity to appreciate precious materials related to astronomy and science that flourished during the Age of Discovery, as well as natural objects brought back from explorations of unknown lands.

Particularly noteworthy is the portrait titled "Emperor Rudolf II as Vertumnus," by Giuseppe Arcimboldo, one of the painters most favored by Rudolf II.

Portrait of Emperor Rudolf II of the Holy Roman Empire, copy after Hans von Aachen, circa 1600, oil on canvas, Skokloster Castle, Sweden

Giuseppe Arcimboldo, "Emperor Rudolf II as Vertumnus," 1591, oil on panel, Skokloster Castle, Sweden

Arcimboldo was a master of allegorical painting, renowned for his portraits composed of assembled animals, plants, and sometimes books or everyday objects.

Among his works, this is an exceptional masterpiece that depicts Rudolf II as the Roman god Vertumnus, who presides over fruits and the changing seasons, symbolizing the emperor's power to command the passage of time.

Rudolf II harbored a strong interest not only in art but also in astronomy and astrology. He employed astronomers Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler as court scholars, and their encounter played a crucial role in guiding the future of astronomy toward a scientific trajectory.

The exhibition also presents valuable artifacts related to astronomical observation instruments and alchemy used during that era.

We invite you to experience Rudolf II's insatiable intellectual curiosity and immerse yourself in a wonderland of art and science, brimming with exquisite and mystical charm.

Roelant Savery, "Orpheus Playing Music to Animals," 1625, oil on canvas, The National Gallery in Prague, Czech Republic

Jan Brueghel the Elder, "A Small Bouquet in a Ceramic Vase," circa 1607, oil on panel, Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna ©KHM-Museumsverband