Netherlandish Proverbs
Factual Information:
From:
Period: 1559
Period: 1559
General Information:
The Netherlandish proverbs work of art is a representation of the various proverbs. There are around 112 identifiable idioms in the scene, some of which are common and still in use today. The artist, Bruegel, represents many people doing absurd things, some of them doing multiple. The painting makes no attempt to be realistic, but merely attempts to show the foolishness of mankind. Bruegel paints many of the people with blank expressions, which thought to have been considered by Bruegel to be expressions of stupidity. Unlike many of his artistic brethren for the time, Bruegel does not incorporate any classical elements into his paintings.
Why This Artwork?
This artwork was chosen to show the forms of artwork still permitted in an protestant world. These artworks are either completely non-religious, or try and make certain exceptions to not be considered works that would be venerated.