Arcimboldo and his students must each create a “work” with composition elements: fruit, vegetables, flowers and cereals. They must make the best interpretation of a title, with a word and a qualifier both chosen by Master Arcimboldo.
The game is played in rounds. The Master Arcimboldo takes a label half with a noun on it, and a label half with a qualifier. The Master assembles the labels (front and back allow for 4 combinations). Once the combination is chosen, the Master announces the title and places it on the table so that everyone can read it. Then the Master Arcimboldo launches the round. Each player simultaneously creates their work.
As soon as a player has finished their picture, they rotate their Frame board so that other players can see it in the correct direction. Once a frame has been rotated, the work cannot be changed. Once everyone has finished and commented on their work, players vote for the work they find most convincing. The player with the most votes for their work is the winner of this round, and they gain the labels. In case of a tie, the Master Arcimboldo chooses who wins the tie. The player to the left of the current Master becomes the new Master Arcimboldo. A new round can now begin!
The game ends when each player has been Master Arcimboldo twice (for 3-4 players games) or once (for 5-6 players games).
The player with the most labels wins the game.