Netherlandish Proverbs by Pieter Bruegel the Elder; 1559. Oil on panel. Located at the Staatliche Museen in Berlin
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- Netherlandish Proverbs can be categorized into the reformation period. It is a Netherlandish piece (obviously), which shows a very different style than southern European countries and Germanic art of of the period.
- The work is a portrayal of a typical Netherlandish village shown from a bird's eye view. This piece is a representation of human nature. With it's omnipresent view, observers are offered a glimpse of each person and their actions. Amazingly, Bruegel also incorporated more than one hundred proverbs into this piece (the reason for its name). As this piece attests, Bruegel's outlook on life became increasingly bitter as he grew older.
- Netherlandish Proverbs is my single most favorite piece of art. Not only is it visually engaging, but it also incorporates a message deeper than face value. By portraying the scuttle of everyday life, Bruegel is providing a psychological mirror for viewers. Really observing Netherlandish Proverbs becomes a very social and moral experience.
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