Artwork
Peter Bruegel
Peter Bruegel is a print by the Baroque artist Aegidius Sadeler II. It dates from 1606 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This print, created by Aegidius Sadeler, reproduces a drawing by Pieter Bruegel, depicting the artist himself in a symbolic setting.
- Accession no.
- 1925.1218
- Credit line
- Gift of P. & D. Colnaghi Co.
About this work
This print copies Bruegel’s drawing of himself. He stands in a room with two gods behind him. One holds a shield with an owl, the other grips a caduceus.
The words below his feet say artists should copy nature closely. Sadeler copied this drawing years after Bruegel died. That’s why it’s called the Bruegel Renaissance.
Look up Aegidius Sadeler (Flemish, c. 1570–1629) to see more prints like this.
Overview
This print, created by Aegidius Sadeler, reproduces a drawing by Pieter Bruegel, depicting the artist himself in a symbolic setting. The work is a product of the Bruegel Renaissance, a period of renewed interest in Bruegel's art that occurred decades after his death.
Subject & Meaning
Bruegel is shown with Minerva and Mercury, representing Art and Eloquence, and a composite figure embodying Fortune and Fame. A cherub, likely Thanatos, mourns the artist while holding a still-flaming torch, signifying the enduring nature of Bruegel's genius.
Technique & Style
The print faithfully reproduces Bruegel's original drawing, capturing the artist's likeness and the surrounding allegorical figures. The inscription below Bruegel's feet discusses the importance of imitating nature, a theme relevant to artistic debates of the time.
History & Provenance
Created around 1600 by Sadeler, this print is a testament to the Bruegel Renaissance, a revival of interest in Bruegel's work that took place after his death in 1569. The original drawing by Bruegel is now lost, making Sadeler's print an important record of the work.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Aegidius Sadeler or Aegidius Sadeler II (1570–1629) was a Flemish engraver who was principally active at the Prague court of Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor and his successors.
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