Pieter Bruegel: The Peasant Painter


This week we studied Pieter Bruegel, a fascinating Renaissance artist from the northern part of Europe (in contrast to the many Italians we have studied so far).

Bruegel differed from other Renaissance painters because of his interest in painting common people. He even disguised himself as a peasant in order to make authentic observations for his artwork. The students came up with a host of intriguing questions about Bruegel's Peasant Wedding.

Kate: If you were an artist living in the Renaissance and you saw Bruegel’s style of painting, would you begin to paint peasants as well, or would you continue to paint richer people?

Hunter: Why do you think Bruegel decided to paint average people?

Tabitha: During the Renaissance, did the bride and groom choose who to invite to their wedding, or could random people show up at the wedding? (Sarah asked a variation on this question: Do you think the entire town was invited to the wedding?)

Bowen: Why do some of the people have super wide eyes? Are they surprised? If so, from what?

Katherine: Why would peasants have invited a lord to their wedding?

Maya G.: Why do you think this ceremony was held inside if so many people were planning to come?

Thomas, Spencer and Artie: Why are certain men armed with knives? Do they expect a fight?

Riley: Why aren't there more babies at this celebration?

Coco: Why is the bride wearing a crown?

Sofia, Howard, Phineas and Mary Holland: Where is the groom?!!

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