Pieter Bruegel the Elder and his work have attained a legendary status in our collective
consciousness. The most important Netherlandish painter and draughtsman of the 16th century had
already achieved great fame during his own lifetime but was largely forgotten until his
rediscovery by art historians in the early 20th century. Just over forty paintings by Bruegel's
own hand survive. His complex multi-layered compositions which draw on the earlier pictorial
traditions of Hieronymus Bosch are often moralizing and teem with characters. The variety of
subjects and their originality of execution inspire wonder to this day.Published to accompany
the major exhibition at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna this spectacular catalogue
allows readers to immerse themselves in the immensely rich pictorial world of the Netherlandish
master. In uniting the artist's works in different media - paintings drawings and prints - it
highlights his perfect handling and execution his virtuoso use of colour and his
draughtsmanship. The book is complemented by an e-book featuring five further essays by the
curators who present the fruits of recent research on the artist's materials and
techniques.Bruegel's inventions and stories create artworks with a timeless power and this
volume presenting a full survey of the artist's entire oeuvre will be an indispensable
resource for Bruegel fans and scholars alike.
