Peter Brueghel the Elder is a Dutch artist, he is the most famous painter who bore this name. He was supposedly born in 1525, lived about 40 years, dying in 1569. Peter Bruegel the Elder had an interesting nickname “Muzhitsky”. His paintings were most often created in such an art genre as a genre scene. Peter had two sons, Peter Brueghel the Younger and Jan Brueghel the Elder, who were also painters, however less famous. The exact date of birth of the artist has not been established, but the place is considered to be the city of Bred, which is now located in North Brabant. However, some historians are inclined to believe that Peter Bruegel the Elder was born in the village of Bregel, which is located next to the aforementioned city. His biography is filled with a variety of interesting facts. For example, the artist in his signature in 1559 removed one letter, and it turned out Bruegel (originally Brueghel).
The beginning of creativity
And today Peter Bruegel the Elder attracts with his vision of everything that is happening. His paintings are stored in many museums in the world. The painter began his work as a graphic artist. While still a young man, he managed to get to the court painter of then in power of Charles V. The painter Peter Cook van Alst taught a lot to his ward. In his workshop, Peter Brueghel 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 with Jerome Kok, who printed prints. Bosch's paintings impressed Peter Brueghel the Elder. He was inspired by the idea of a great artist and even created his own variations on his creations.
Traveling in Europe
The mentor suggested that Peter Brueghel the Elder travel across Europe to create landscapes for prints. Seen greatly shocked the painter. The majestic monuments of Rome, the beauty of the landscapes of France, the masterpieces of the Renaissance and the magnificent waters of the Mediterranean Sea 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, Peter Bruegel the Elder married the daughter of a mentor. The paintings that were written for prints, all recognized as wonderful, they were in demand. In order to cater to the desires of wealthy clients, Peter Brueghel the Elder often forged signatures, for example, of Jerome Bosch, whose paintings he liked so much. After the marriage, such famous paintings as “Big fish eat small” and “Donkey at school” were painted. In 1557, Peter Brueghel the Elder created several prints that depicted mortal sins. In 1563, having already gained experience, the artist and his family moved to Brussels.
Interesting Facts
Peter Brueghel the Elder was distinguished by the universality of his work, he wrote almost everything. However, there were things that the artist basically did not draw for unknown reasons. So, Peter Bruegel the Elder never painted portraits and nudes. His paintings almost always corresponded to this principle. The only portrait that this painter painted is “The Head of a Peasant Woman”. Although, of course, orders for portraits came in large numbers. The nickname "Muzhitsky" Peter Brueghel the Elder received in order not to confuse him with his son.
Merit to the Fatherland
The artist painted paintings reflecting the problems of society and people's vices. It was the renaissance of Peter Brueghel the Elder who became the pinnacle of Dutch painting. One of the brightest and greatest artists, if not of the world, then, of course, the Netherlands, he put meaning hidden from his eyes into each creation. You can understand the artist’s paintings only from a philosophical point of view. One of the main directions was the fight against human vices. The artist’s works are designed to convey to all the suffering for the fate of each person. Sometimes too cruel, the paintings of Peter Brueghel the Elder attract people. They tell the truth about the world. However, not everything in the works is so gloomy, the artist does not give up hope for saving people, he dreams and conveys to people the idea of harmony, the structure of the world on the basis of morality.
The meaning of the paintings
During the life of Peter Brueghel the Elder, the Inquisition flourished in Europe. Everywhere, especially in small towns, people were brutally killed for the slightest denunciation of them. Heretics, which the executioners considered them, were burned at the stake, buried alive in the ground, drowned and subjected to terrible torture. For any denunciation, not even supported by facts, they paid very well, so people often gave even their loved ones to be torn to pieces by the Inquisition. All this is described by many paintings by Peter Brueghel the Elder.
End of life
The artist died in 1569 in Brussels. His most recent creation 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 paintings:
- "Destroyers of nests";
- "Peasant dance";
- "Peasant Wedding";
- "Misanthrope";
- "The Parable of the Blind";
- "Magpie on the gallows";
- "Three soldiers";
- “Cripples”;
- The Conversion of Saul;
- “Adoration of the Magi in the winter landscape”;
- "A wedding dance".
Most famous creation
According to many connoisseurs, the best creation is Flemish Proverbs. This painting was created in 1559, it tells about funny incidents in people's lives. Mareinissen, a famous art critic, deciphered the hidden meaning of the actions of each person in the picture. "Flemish proverbs" tell in allegorical form about life, characters, thoughts of people. For example: “She would have tied the devil to a pillow” - she is not afraid of either God or the devil: this scammer is able to curb the most obstinate fellow; stubborn as hell. “Gnawing a pillar” - a hypocrite, a pillar of a church, a hypocrite, a holy man. And so absolutely about every hero of the picture.
The painting "Tower of Babel"
Many creations are among the most famous in the world that Bruegel Peter the Elder created. The Tower of Babel is one of them. Written in 1563, today it is stored in Vienna. It is easy to guess that the picture tells about one of the biblical stories: about the mixing of different languages and the scattering of people. Peter Brueghel the Elder managed to portray the magnificent tower, which seems to be eternal. People wanted to be elevated to God, but they did not succeed.
The painting "The Adoration of the Kings"
The painting was painted in 1564. She belongs to the Bible. 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 title of the work is “Adoration of the Magi”. The painting is stored in London, at the National Gallery.
Painting "Children's Games"
This creation Peter Brueghel the Elder created in 1560. The painting "Children's Games" depicts a street on which a huge number of children play. As in all the works of the painter, there is a hidden meaning. The essence of the picture is that the artist compares the lives of people with the games of children. Thus, Peter Bruegel the Elder shows how petty the existence of man is. The children in the picture do not have smiles, they depict the actions usually performed by adults, and like them, they are completely devoted to the game of life.