The Life in Times of Bruegel
Throughout the course of history, innovative people have been subject to rejection in the beginning of their careers, yet later become prominent figures. Pieter Bruegel was a Flemish artist who revolutionize the Northern Renaissance in the 1500’s. He led a life of complexity, especially during the times of religious and political fighting. He made much advancement during his age by painting peasants and landscapes; this was the first time in history in which this had been done. Bruegel’s quiet nature has been described by friends in their writings and is also evident in his artwork. Bruegel’s serene landscapes are a reflection of his character, yet more violent works suggest there is more beneath the surface. Bruegel was thought to be eccentric because he was different, but now he is regarded as one of the superstars of the Renaissance. Though his birthplace is unknown, scholars believe the life of Pieter Bruegel began in 1525 most likely in Breda, Netherlands (World Book 649). In his youth, Bruegel decided on a career in artistry and traveled to Rome to study. His return to Breda included a rendezvous through the Alps, where he observed one of the few nature scenes in his life (Foote 72). A noted craftsman in Antwerp, Pieter Coeck van Aelst, offered the young Bruegel an apprenticeship, where he learned the craft of painting and drawing (Foote 70). To provide for the trip from Flanders to Antwerp, Bruegel had four wealthy patrons in Flanders (Foote 78). The Hapsburg Court also noticed Bruegel’s potential and later became a major sponsor of his art (Hanson 477). As Bruegel’s style developed, he learned from great artists of the time, such as Michaelangelo. This is evident because Bruegel’s work shifts from paintings teeming with life to only some dramatic figures (Foote 76). In 1551, once Bruegel’s goals were established, the Guild of St. Luke recognized him as a master painter in Antwerp by (Pieter Bruegel The Elder). In Antwerp, he made most of
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