The Dutch Proverbs

Famous for his landscapes and peasant scenes, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, was a Netherlandish Renaissance painter and printmaker. He gained experience in Italy and France before going to Antwerp, where he became a master in the painter's guild. The older Dutch master Hieronymus Bosch exercised the most influence on Bruegel's art. His major inspiration was drawn however directly from nature, which is evident in artworks like 'Landscape with the Fall of Icarus' (1558) or 'Winter Landscape with a Bird Trap' (1565). Although the Italianate style dominated in his times, Bruegel the Elder preferred a somewhat simpler form. He was the pioneer of Netherlandish genre painting because his main focus lay on village life, as seen, for instance, in 'Netherlandish Proverbs' (1559). He also created religious works like such as 'The Tower of Babel' (1563).