A Visual History of Cookery

Summer, by Giuseppe Arcimboldo, 1573, is one of a series of portrait paintings by the artist, made from the seasonal fruits, grains, and vegetables Photograph: guardian.co.uk

An early twentieth century Oxo advertisement Photograph: guardian.co.uk

A twentieth century Jolly Green Giant sign Photograph: General Mills/Black Dog Publishing

A second world war-era Ministry of Food pamphlet on conserving food and eating healthily Photograph: guardian.co.uk

A cake table at an American barbeque Photograph: Library of Congress/guardian.co.uk

An elaborate foie gras window display Photograph: Allan Harris/guardian.co.uk

Making polenta at the polenta festival, Bormio, Italy. Photograph: Gin Fizz/guardian.co.uk

500 Bakers recruitment poster for the First World War, 1917 Photograph: Library of Congress/guardian.co.uk

How to make pastry. THIS DOESN'T MATCH UP TO THE CAPTION INFO DOC Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Modern cookery appliances from Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management Photograph: Black Dog

1. Eclairs 2. Assorted fancy pastry 3. Sponge Savoy cake 4. Gâteau St. Honoré 5. Simnel Cake 6. Pancakes 7. Pyramid Cream 8. Croquettes of Rice, from Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management. Photograph: guardian.co.uk

A Ministry of Food pamphlet on conserving food and eating healthily Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Retro advertisements from the original maker of the TV Dinner, Swanson Photograph: Pinnacle Foods Group LLC/guardian.co.uk

Retro advertisements from the original maker of the TV Dinner, Swanson Photograph: Pinnacle Foods Group LLC/guardian.co.uk

Various hanging chilli peppers and jars of Moorish spices Photograph: Rosa Cabecinhas/Alcino Cunha/guardian.co.uk