1. Pieter Bruegel, The Elder Renaissance Artist of the Netherlands

2. Pieter Bruegel the Elder  Pieter Bruegel was born in the Netherlands around 1525.  Little is known about Pieter and his early years, but documents show him as an apprentice under an artist named Claude Dorizi in 1550.  An apprenticeship was the way to learn a trade this was common in Renaissance times and also in Colonial America.

3. Pieter Bruegel the Elder  Pieter was often called ‘Peasant Bruegel’ because of the subject manner of his paintings.  He was actually a highly cultured and well respected man.  His most famous paintings contain common every day working men and women.

4. Pieter Bruegel the Elder  In 1551 Pieter Bruegel became a master painter and was admitted to the Antwerp Guild.  This gave him respect within the art community and a promise of work and money.  Bruegel toured around Europe and extensively through France and Italy where there was a lot of amazing art.

5. Pieter Bruegel the Elder  On his return from his travels, Bruegel started working for an engraver and publisher of fine prints.  During this time he started painting groups of people and landscapes.  Bruegel married Mayken in 1563 and they settled in Brussels, Belgium.

6. Pieter Bruegel the Elder  In his lifetime Pieter Bruegel paintings were held in high regard and he was a well known artist.  Art critics of the time called him ‘bootigh (funny) and ‘gheestig’ (spirited, inventive and refined).  It was thought that one could look at Bruegel paintings and always smile at the humor expressed by the characters.

7. Pieter Bruegel the Elder  Through his paintings Bruegel helps us to see the people of the 1500s, how they lived, dressed, worked and played.  Bruegel always depicted the people with great respect and dignity, no matter what their activity or status in life.

8. Pieter Bruegel the Elder

11. The Harvesters’ Meal