Pieter Brueghel the Elder, a Netherlandish painter and printmaker, was a key figure in Dutch and Flemish Renaissance painting, known for his landscapes and peasant scenes. He pioneered large paintings of these subjects and influenced Dutch Golden Age painting. His works, such as The Harvesters and The Hunters in the Snow, showcase his innovative approach to subject matter.
He remains a formative influence on the development of Western painting, particularly in his expansion of subject matter beyond traditional religious themes.