Maximilian II (1527-1576) and his wife Maria of Spain (1528-1603) and his children Anna (1549-1580), Rudolf (1552-1612) and Ernst (1553-1595)

The artwork Maximilian II (1527-1576) and his wife Maria of Spain (1528-1603) and his children Anna (1549-1580), Rudolf (1552-1612) and Ernst (1553-1595) is a painting, created in 1563 by Giuseppe Arcimboldo. This 2.4 x 1.88 meter painting is currently held at Kunsthistorisches Museum.

The painting is a family portrait depicting Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor, alongside his wife, Maria of Spain, and three of their children: Anna, Rudolf, and Ernst. Maximilian stands on the right, dressed in a lavish white and gold doublet and hose, a symbol of his imperial status. He holds a glove in his left hand and rests his right hand on the hilt of his sword. Maria, on the left, is equally richly attired in a black and gold gown with elaborate jewelry. She stands slightly behind her husband, her hand resting on his arm in a gesture of wifely support.

Between them stand their three children. Anna, the eldest, is dressed in a red and gold dress, her hand resting on the head of a small dog. Rudolf, the future emperor, stands beside her, dressed in a white and gold outfit similar to his father's. The youngest child, Ernst, is depicted as a baby, lying in a cradle.

The family is posed against a backdrop of rich red drapery and a classical column, further emphasizing their wealth and power. The painting is a powerful image of dynastic ambition and family unity, typical of royal portraiture of the period.