Lust (c.1558) by Pieter Bruegel the Elder

Lust - Pieter Bruegel the Elder - c.1558

Artwork Information

TitleLust
ArtistPieter Bruegel the Elder
Datec.1558
Mediumengraving,etching,paper
Dimensions22.5 x 30.2 cm
Art MovementNorthern Renaissance
Current LocationMuseum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston, MA, US

About Lust

The artwork, titled “Lust,” was created circa 1558 by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. This piece, executed through engraving and etching on paper, belongs to the Northern Renaissance movement and measures 22.5 by 30.2 cm. It is an allegorical painting that forms part of the series “The Vices and the Virtues.” Currently, it is housed in the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.

“Lust” presents a vivid and complex scene filled with grotesque and fantastical elements reflective of its theme. The central focus seems to be on the indulgence of carnal desires, depicted through a chaotic array of human and supernatural figures engaged in various lascivious acts. The imagery includes an array of unusual and surreal figures, disturbingly intertwined in their pursuit of pleasure. The background features a medieval-style architectural setting, further enhancing the bizarre and unsettling nature of the scene. Through this intricate and detailed work, Bruegel critiques human vices, engaging viewers in a moral contemplation reflective of the Northern Renaissance tradition.

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