Are These Composite Portraits Whimsical Or Horrifying? [NSFW]

Thanks to the phenomenon of pareidolia, we're able to see human faces almost anywhere. But when you see a human face made out of bugs, or fruit, or naked women, is it delightful, or creepy? Or a little of both?

This phantasmagorical technique of composite portraiture was invented by Giuseppe Arcimboldo, a 16th century Italian painter — but people have taken it in many weird and fascinating directions since then. See for yourself!

Archimboldesque Heads by Maglioli, c. 1580-1610

(via Victoria and Albert Museum)

French postcards

(via delcampe and Cartes Postales Anciennes)

A human head containing jostling human figures, 1929

(via Wellcome Images)

A la Arcimboldo, by Galchi

(via Galchi/DeviantArt)

Portrait of Charles Darwin, by Deevad

(via Deevad/DeviantArt)

Totem by Carolina Amoretti

(via Carolina Amoretti)

Works of André Martins De Barros

(via Martins De Barros/DeviantArt, liveinternet and Tutti Art)

The Archimboldo Project of Klaus Enrique

(via Klaus Enrique)