A painter of peasant scenes: thus is Pieter Bruegel the Elder (c. 1525/1530 - 1569) known to the general public. His work, however, covers an extensive number of themes: the rustic and folkloric life, epic (winter) landscapes, seascapes and religious-moralistic or humanistic inspired works. Bruegel's observation of humanity, translated into paintings, drawings and prints, takes us back to the second and third quarters of the sixteenth century. Bruegel is a shrewd observer of the condition humaine with incomparable technical abilities.
Biography
Pieter Bruegel the Elder (c. 1525/1530 - 1569) is a Brabant painter, draughtsman, etcher and print designer. Despite his fame as an artist, we know precious little about the man himself. A great deal of factual information is lacking for us, such as his precise year of birth, place of birth, information about his education and his residence until 1563. Did he have substantial means and what was his place in society? How was he established in life? These are essential questions that remain unanswered.
