A new look for Bruegel the Elder
Pieter Bruegel the Elder is the representative of Flemish painting of the sixteenth century. He was especially important for the development of landscape and genre painting in the Low Countries. The visual innovations of such artists as David Teniers the Younger or Adriaan Brouwer are indebted to the oeuvre of Pieter Bruegel the Elder.Bruegel has been studied a lot in the past and a good many books have been written about his work. All the same, the most recent serious survey dates from 1988. That publication was a classical approach to the master and drew on the literary sources and iconographical interpretations that were available at the time. But since then a lot of new research has been carried out, resulting in many new insights and visions. They are all reflected in this new monograph.This beautiful book places the work of the master within its historical and cultural context. Besides offering new insights, it is also innovative with regard to its form, as it is a wonderful example of what can be done with the latest printing technology. All of the paintings, prints and drawings, the eye-catchers of this comprehensive monograph, are accurately and splendidly reproduced. Relevant details are pinpointed and discussed separately so that you can see things that might otherwise have escaped your notice.This is an absolutely pioneering art historical work. This is above all thanks to the author, Manfred Sellink, who guides you in a clear and solid way through the art and artistry of Bruegel while at the same time presenting a lively portrait of his life and work.A book to cherish.