Slow Art Sunday - Bruegel

Today Slow Art Sunday looks back almost 500 years to bring you “The Harvesters” by Pieter Bruegel.

In this work, the viewer is transported to a hot summer day in the Netherlands. This lovely, detailed work belongs to a series that was commissioned by a Belgian banker and art collector for his country home. The set originally included six paintings showing different seasons.  “The Harvesters”, representing July–August, has survived through the ages along with four others.

Not much is known about Breugel, however, this series shows his interest in accurately representing nature and human activities.  This popular move during the Renaissance also meant a departure from mainly religious or aristocratic subjects that had been common. 

The painting is now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City (I gotta get there!).

Take some time to revel in the fine details.  From the foreground and fields, over the hills and way into the distance, we see a community coming together to sustain life.  Thank you Breugel for a glimpse into the past.

 #slowartsunday #slowart #theharvesters #pieterbruegel #summerharvest #slowartflow