Pieter Brueghel the Younger

Pieter Brueghel the Younger was known for producing copies of the portfolio of his father, Pieter Brueghel the Elder (1525-1569), as well as his own work. Brueghel the Elder was active in 16th century Flanders and was known for representing daily life of laborers. More generally, Flemish art was infused with technical skill, itself a reflection of the realism of the artists. Brueghel the Younger’s work reveals a realistic perception of the world. The works contain satirical observations, and compared with the impressionists, are less concerned with the aesthetic.

Looking at The Four Seasons (1624), we see that the year is divided into four parts anti -clockwise, spring (top right-hand corner), through to winter (bottom right-hand corner). The work as a whole is a parody, a commentary on nature’s relationship with humans and the toil exerted. It is detailed with symbols and emblems, such as the man relieving his thirst in summer, and the snowy rooftops in winter. It is noteworthy that in this painting, all four panels are equally dark and there is no attention paid to lighting effects. There is no obvious emotional use of color.

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