Brueghel's Netherlandish Proverbs--i

Things change, right? Sure, but sometimes not as much as you think.

Pieter Breughel the Elder, whose religious preferences in 16th century Holland have never been determined beyond a reasonable doubt (was he Catholic or Protestant or neither?) created a marvelous canvas overwhelmed with wisdom in the shape of aphorisms, delightful little proverbs, tidbits of artful wisdom his audience not only understood but used in everyday speech. Interpretation would be helped greatly if we were ourselves 16th century Dutch ordinaries, not unlike the kleine leude he breathed to life in this old country landscape, but you'd be surprised by how many proverbs evoked here still have currency.

Brueghel's vision is just plain fun--and not just in a 16th century sense. A ton of the these easily transportable Dutch proverbs are still with us, which suggests--and proves--that we've not really changed--human beings being what we are, with or without smart phones. 

Center-left foreground for instance, you'll find this idiot.

What's he up to? With or without that toad-stabber in his right hand, he's being a block head, ramming his head against the wall. And that idea is what's behind the figure--the guy's banging his head against a wall. 

"'Course I know what that's like," you say. We can't see the guy's face--maybe you're the subject. I am. 

Moralists get old fast normally because they can't help telling other people how to live. But Brueghel's moralism in this incredible painting is a joy. It's fun. In truth, it seems, he rather likes this dummies, finds them, well, something akin to normal.

Try this image, upper left--set in the side of the house:

Hint: the thing is upside down. 

Get it? Today's political mess captured here in just one of a world of images, and Brueghel never heard of Trump.

They're a ball, really, a joy. Brueghel's visions of hell have tormented believers for centuries. His interpretations of the Seven Deadlies are complex and memorable. But this single work--Netherlandish Proverbs--is just plain fun, in part because we're in it, always have been and always will be.

More to come. Stay tuned.