Peter Brueghel the Elder: paintings (list)

Peter Bruegel the Elder is a Dutch artist, he is the most famous painter who bore this surname. He was born probably in 1525, lived about 40 years, dying in 1569. An interesting nickname "Peasant" was Peter Bruegel the Elder. Paintings they were most often created in such an art genre as a genre scene. Peter had two sons, Peter Bruegel the Younger and Jan Brueghel the Elder, who were also painters, but less famous. The exact date of birth of the artist was not established, but the place is considered to be the city of Brad, which is now in North Brabant. However, some historians are inclined to believe that in the village of Brugel, which is located next to the above-mentioned city, Peter Brueghel the Elder was born. His biography is filled with various interesting facts. For example, the artist in his signature in 1559 removed one letter, and it turned out Bruegel (originally Brueghel).

Beginning of creativity

And today he attracts Peter Breugel the Elder with his vision. His paintings are kept in many museums around the world. The artist started his work as a graphic artist. Even as a young man, he managed to get to the court artist who was then in power, Charles V. Painter Peter Cook van Alst taught a lot to his ward. In his workshop, Peter Bruegel the Elder worked until the death of a teacher who died in 1550. After a sad event, the artist entered the guild of painters and went to work for Jerome Cock, who printed engravings. Bosch's paintings impressed Peter Brueghel the Elder. He was imbued with the idea of a great artist and even created his own variations on his creations.

Travel around Europe

The mentor invited Peter Brueghel the Elder to travel around Europe to create landscapes for engravings. The sight greatly shocked the painter. The majestic monuments of Rome, the beauty of France's landscapes, the masterpieces of the Renaissance and the magnificent waters of the Mediterranean have left an indelible mark on Brueghel's mind. As many scientists believe, in Rome, the artist worked with the famous miniaturist Giulio Clovio.

First pictures

In 1563 he married the daughter of the mentor Peter Bruegel the Elder. Pictures that were written for engravings, all recognized as remarkable, they were in demand. In order to please the wishes of wealthy customers, Peter Bruegel the Elder often forged the signatures, for example, Hieronymus Bosch, whose paintings he liked so much. After the marriage, such well-known paintings as "Big Fish Eat Small" and "Ass in School" were written. In 1557, Peter Bruegel the Elder created several engravings that depicted mortal sins. In 1563, after gaining experience, the artist moved with his family to Brussels.

Interesting Facts

Peter Bruegel the Elder distinguished himself with the universality of his works, he wrote almost everything. However, there were things that the artist did not paint in principle for unknown reasons. So, I never painted portraits and nude figures Peter Brueghel the Elder. His paintings almost always corresponded to this principle. The only portrait painted by this painter is "The Head of a Peasant Woman". Although, of course, orders for portraits came in large quantities. The nickname "Peasant" Peter Bruegel the Elder received in order not to confuse him with his son.

Merit for the Fatherland

The artist drew pictures reflecting the problems of society and the vices of people. It was the renaissance of Peter Brueghel the Elder that became the pinnacle of Dutch painting. One of the most brilliant and great artists, if not of the world, then definitely the Netherlands, he invested in each creation a hidden from the eye meaning. You can understand the artist's paintings only from the philosophical point of view. One of the main directions was the struggle against the vices of people. The work of the artist is designed to convey to all suffering for the fate of each person. Sometimes too cruel, Peter Brueghel the Elder's themes attract people. They tell the truth about the world. However, not everything in the works is so gloomy, the artist does not abandon the hope of saving people, he dreams and conveys to people the idea of harmony, the organization of the world on the basis of morality.

The meaning of the pictures

During the life of Peter Brueghel the Elder in Europe, the Inquisition flourished. Everywhere, especially in small towns, people were brutally murdered for the slightest denunciation of them. The heretics, as they were believed by the executioners, were burned at the stake, buried in the ground alive, drowned and subjected to terrible torture. For any denunciation that was not even supported by facts, they paid very well, that's why people often gave even their loved ones to the torture of the Inquisition. About all this, many pictures of Peter Brueghel the Elder tell.

End of life

The artist died in 1569 in Brussels. The most recent creation of his was "The Triumph of Truth" (according to van Mander, writer and artist). He also claims that this picture was the best in Peter Bruegel the Elder.

List of some pictures:

• "The destroyers of nests";
• "Peasant Dance";
• "Peasant wedding";
• "Misanthrope";
• "The Parable of the Blind";
• "Magpie on the Gallows";
• "Three Soldiers";
• "Cripples";
• "Conversion of Saul";
• "Adoration of the Magi in the winter landscape";
• "A wedding dance".

The most famous creation

According to many connoisseurs, the best creation is the "Flemish proverbs". This picture was created in 1559, it tells about funny incidents in people's lives. Mareinissen, a famous art critic, deciphered the hidden meaning of each person's action in the picture. "Flemish proverbs" tell in allegorical form about life, characters, thoughts of people. For example: "She would tie the devil to the pillow" - she is not afraid of either God or the devil: this shrew is able to curb the most obstinate young man; Stubborn as hell. "Gnaws a pillar" - a hypocrite, a pillar of the church, a hypocrite, a saint. And so absolutely about every hero of the picture.

Painting "Tower of Babel"

Many creations are among the most famous in the world, created by Bruegel Peter the Elder. The Tower of Babel is one of them. Written in 1563, today is stored in Vienna. It's not difficult to guess that the picture tells about one of the Bible stories: the mixing of different languages and the scattering of people. Peter Bruegel the Elder was the best able to portray the majestic tower, which seems to be eternal. People wanted to rise to God, but they did not succeed.

Painting "Worship of kings"

The painting was written in 1564. It is Biblical. It depicts Jesus Christ when he was still a baby, with the Virgin, and rich people present various gifts to the Son of God. Another name for the work is "Adoration of the Magi". The painting is kept in London, in the National Gallery.

Picture «Children's games»

This creation Peter Bruegel the Elder created in 1560. The picture "Children's Games" shows a street on which a huge number of children play. As in all works of the painter, there is a hidden meaning. The essence of the picture is that the artist compares the life of people with the games of children. Thus, Peter Bruegel the Elder shows how petty the existence of man is. The guys in the picture have no smiles, they depict the actions performed usually by adults, and how they are completely given to the game of life.