{(The Renaissance outside Italy [continued (8)])[Flanders and Holland (continued (4))]{Pieter Breugel the Elder [continued]}[29th April 1991]

[Redbook9:211-212][19910429:0914n]{(The Renaissance outside Italy [continued (8)])[Flanders and Holland (continued (4))]{Pieter Breugel the Elder [continued]}[29th April 1991]

1991042{9}:0914

[continued]

‘This approach* to subject matter, latent from the early 15^th century in the Low Countries, was given new dimensions by Pieter Breugel.

‘His series of the months is at once a revival of the labours of the months from Gothic cathedrals and mediaeval books of hours and at the same time a new treatment of rural landscape and of the peasants who work the land. His “Harvesters” (1565; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York) displays a remarkable sensitivity to colour and pattern. The intense golden yellow of the ripened wheat sets up a bold pattern across the lower half of the picture and contrasts with the cool greens and blues of the limitless plain stretching off into the distance. Figures move through a lane cut through the field of grain, while others cut bold patterns into what seems a solid space. The sleeping peasants resting after their noon meal are disposed in patterns and poses that make one feel the heat and calm of a summer’s day.

‘This sympathetic view of peasant life, with its bold geometric patterns, runs throughout the series of the months and recurs in “The Wedding Dance” (1566; Detroit Insitute of Arts) and in the “Peasant Dance” (Plate 12)** and “Peasant Wedding” (both in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna).

***

*[See last previous ts journal entry]

**[Not reproduced in the ts]

*** – ibid [Encyclopaedia Britannica 25:352]

[Source paragraph continued from last previous ts journal entry & is a single paragraph in the source text]

[continued]

[PostedBlogger15032025]