Pieter Bruegel

Pieter I Bruegel - De volkstelling te Bethlehem ©Royal Museums of Fine Arts Belgium, Brussels photo J. Geleyns - Ro scan
©Royal Museums of Fine Arts Belgium, Brussels photo J. Geleyns - Ro scan

Pieter Bruegel l’Ancien (vers 1525-30 – 1569) reste un mystère à de nombreux égards. Son œuvre riche, voire complexe, ne cesse de surprendre. Bruegel était un artiste paysagiste de génie, un brillant chroniqueur de la vie de l’époque, doté d’un grand sens de l’humour.

Pieter Bruegel, une brillante énigme

Patriarche d’une famille d’artistes (ses fils Pieter et Jan furent également des artistes de premier plan), Bruegel est né en 1525. Ou peut-être en 1530, ou quelque part entre les deux. Il existe également plusieurs théories sur son lieu de naissance. Il y a donc encore beaucoup de mystères sur la vie de ce Maître flamand. Mais ce n’est pas ce qui compte au final. Ce qui compte, c’est l’œuvre impressionnante de ce peintre, dessinateur, graveur et illustrateur. Une œuvre volumineuse.

Les paysages de Bruegel sont majestueux. Le portrait typiquement bruegelien de la vie populaire de l’époque. Les scènes étranges qui intègrent des créatures fantastiques. L'humour et l'ironie qu'il a souvent utilisés pour représenter les faiblesses humaines universelles. Les images inventives, complexes et tourbillonnantes couchées sur papier. Bruegel a engendré cette vaste œuvre en un temps relativement court. Il est décédé vers l’âge de quarante ans. Parmi ses œuvres, une quarantaine de tableaux ont été conservés.

Ce maître flamand a rendu son dernier souffle à Bruxelles. Bien que ses chefs-d'œuvre soient disséminés dans le monde entier, il est toujours chez lui ici. Les Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique (MRBAB) possèdent quatre de ses chefs-d’œuvre. La collection de la Bibliothèque Royale de Belgique (KBR) abrite une environ nonante illustrations rares et trois dessins. Il est également associé à Anvers, la ville où il est devenu artiste. Son chef-d’œuvre Margot la folle et la série Douze Proverbes peuvent encore être admirés au Musée Mayer Van den Bergh.

La vision de Bruegel se trouve aux quatre coins du monde, mais nulle part aussi vivement qu'ici.

Une statue en bronze d’un artiste barbu avec un perroquet sur l’épaule est assise sur une chaise, encadrée par une structure métallique. Une rue de la ville en arrière-plan.

Bruegel en Flandre

Pieter Bruegel l’Ancien était chez lui en Flandre. Ce brillant maître rendit son dernier souffle à Bruxelles, mais il débuta sa carrière à Anvers. Une partie importante de son œuvre y est toujours à la maison. Découvrez Bruegel à Anvers, Bruxelles et ailleurs.

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Scène médiévale chaotique avec des créatures étranges et des humains dans un paysage sombre et enflammé. L’atmosphère est étrange et troublante, avec des éléments surréalistes et oniriques.
© Museum Mayer van den Bergh, foto: KIK-IRPA

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