Mountain landscape with a river (1553) by Pieter Bruegel the Elder

Mountain landscape with a river - Pieter Bruegel the Elder - 1553

Artwork Information

TitleMountain landscape with a river
ArtistPieter Bruegel the Elder
Date1553
Mediumdrawing,paper,pen,ink
Dimensions22.9 x 33.8 cm
Art MovementNorthern Renaissance
Current LocationBritish Museum, London, UK

About Mountain landscape with a river

Pieter Bruegel the Elder, a pivotal figure in Dutch and Flemish Renaissance painting, is renowned for his detailed landscapes and vibrant peasant scenes. Among his notable works is the “Mountain Landscape with a River,” created in 1553. This piece exemplifies Bruegel’s mastery in capturing the essence of nature and the rural life that he often depicted.

The “Mountain Landscape with a River” is a testament to Bruegel’s innovative approach to landscape art, which was a significant departure from the iconographic traditions of his time. His landscapes offer a contemporary and tangible vision of the natural world, free from the allegorical constraints that were prevalent during the Reformation period.

While the original drawing by Bruegel for “Mountain Landscape with a River” is lost, its composition has been preserved through a drawn copy in Besançon and an engraving by Simon Novellanus published around 1595. The engraving added mythological figures, enhancing the scene with elements of Mercury and Psyche in the sky above the landscape.

Bruegel’s influence extended beyond his lifetime, inspiring other artists to create works in a similar vein. For instance, an Italian artist, around the year 1600, produced a painting titled “Landscape: A River among Mountains,” which drew heavily from Bruegel’s style and compositional elements. This painting, once attributed to various schools and artists, was later identified as a pastiche of influences from Bruegel and another Netherlandish painter, Herri met de Bles.

Today, Bruegel’s legacy continues to captivate art enthusiasts and collectors alike. His paintings, including masterpieces like “The Triumph of Death,” are highly valued, with top pieces fetching around $10 million. His work can be admired in prestigious institutions such as the Museo del Prado in Madrid and the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels.

In summary, Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s “Mountain Landscape with a River” from 1553 remains an iconic representation of his groundbreaking approach to landscape painting, blending naturalistic detail with a unique interpretation of the world around him.

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