Pieter Bruegel the Elder was a Dutch Renaissance painter and printmaker from Brabant; known for his landscapes and peasant scenes (so called genre painting). He received the nickname "Peasant Bruegel" or "Bruegel the Peasant" for his practice of dressing up like a peasant in order to socialize at weddings and other celebrations; thereby gaining inspiration and authentic details for his genre paintings. His drawings and prints made after his designs; while based on traditional sources; are innovative and independent; and they are wide ranging in their subject matter. Among Bruegels foremost achievements in the graphic realm is the naturalistic rendering of landscapes. The great master also created a body of peerless figurative designs featuring demons; virtuous souls; fools; and faceless peasants tilling the land. In allegories; portrayals of proverbs; and biblical narratives he dissected the imperfections of human nature; giving free rein to his imagination and wicked sense of humor. Often Bruegel produced what one early observer called "fantasies and bizarre things; dreams; and imaginations" that were closely based on the work of Hieronymus Bosch and inspired his contemporaries to call him the "second Bosch."
#1330017 in eBooks 2015-05-01 2015-05-01File Name: B00WHMUMMU
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Worthwhile!By Pierre GauthierThis large size book presents the life and works of the 18th century painter Canaletto; famous for his very detailed views of Venice.The text; a bit pompous and unswervingly positive; is organized in four sections and covers the historical context; the painterrsquo;s training; his work and his legacy. Despite the fact that sources are apparently scarce regarding Canalettorsquo;s life; it succeeds in being quite informative.The bookrsquo;s main interest lies however in the high-quality; full-page photos of dozens of Canalettorsquo;s paintings; most presenting a view of Venice of course but some of Rome; London and other English locations. Though they do not seem to be placed in any relation to the text; it is delightful for the reader to be able to observe them close-hand.Accordingly; this book is recommended to all interested in Canaletto specifically or in Venice in general.
