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Pieter Brueghel de Oude. De Toren van Babel

Pieter Brueghel the Elder

1563

unspecified

From the collection of Catholic University of Leuven

Northern Renaissance Renaissance Renaissance

Dominant colour

Pieter Brueghel de Oude. De Toren van Babel is a 1563 unspecified by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, a Northern Renaissance work, held at Catholic University of Leuven.

Who painted this?: Pieter Brueghel the Elder
When & what style?: 1563 · Northern Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Catholic University of Leuven

About this work

This painting shows a massive tower under construction. Bricks pile up in wild patterns. Tiny workers swarm like ants. The sky is dark and stormy above them. It’s one of the few big pictures Brueghel made about ancient tales. He loved tiny details—look close and you’ll spot tools, ropes, even the workers’ lunch. This tower looks like a real ruin you can still visit today. Check out the “Pieter Brueghel I” artist page next.