Land of Cockaigne (1567) by Pieter Bruegel the Elder

Land of Cockaigne - Pieter Bruegel the Elder - 1567

Artwork Information

TitleLand of Cockaigne
ArtistPieter Bruegel the Elder
Date1567
Mediumoil,panel
Dimensions52 x 78 cm
Art MovementNorthern Renaissance
Current LocationAlte Pinakothek, Munich, Germany

About Land of Cockaigne

The artwork “Land of Cockaigne” by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, completed in 1567, is an oil on panel creation that belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement. Measuring 52 by 78 centimeters, this mythological painting is housed in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, Germany.

The artwork presents an idyllic, fantastical landscape where three individuals rest on the ground beneath the luxuriant tree filled with provisions. The scene is full of rich, symbolic imagery. Surrounding the central figures, the panorama includes various satirical elements, such as a man in a roof-like structure covered with pancakes, another asleep at the base of the tree, and scattered food items readily available for consumption. The background reveals a serene natural setting with distant water and rolling hills, contributing to the surreal and mythical quality of the painting. The composition whimsically illustrates the mythical land of indulgence and abundance where hard work is unnecessary, as epitomized by the languid figures and the abundance of food within easy reach.

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