Artwork Page for Peter Bruegel

Details / Information for Peter Bruegel

Peter Bruegel

1606

Aegidius Sadeler

(Flemish, c. 1570–1629)

after Bartholomaeus Spranger

(Flemish, 1546–1611)
Culture
Flanders
Medium
engraving
Support
Cream(1) laid paper
Measurements
Sheet: 30.1 x 20.4 cm (11 7/8 x 8 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of P. & D. Colnaghi Co. 1925.1218
Catalogue raisonné
Hollstein 279 (XXI.58)
State
ii/v
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Around 1600, three decades after the death of artist Pieter Bruegel (about 1525-1569), a renewed interest in his work sparked the so-called Bruegel Renaissance. Admired for his scenes of everyday life and his realistic landscapes, he was highly praised for faithfully following nature. Appropriately, the inscription on Sadeler's print is a lengthy discussion about the imitation of nature, a matter of great interest to artists at the time. Bruegel is surrounded by Minerva and Mercury (who here personify Art and Eloquence, respectively) and a composite figure of Fortune and Fame. The cherub bearing the skull and torch at bottom is probably Thanatos, a classical symbol of death. He bows to mourn the artist, but as the still-flaming torch indicates, Bruegel's genius and fame are immortal.

Peter Bruegel

1606

Aegidius Sadeler, Bartholomaeus Spranger

(Flemish, c. 1570–1629), (Flemish, 1546–1611)
Flanders

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

    Contact Us

    The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

    To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

    All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.