Two drawings by Pieter Bruegel

Abstract

When looking at a piece of art one should be able to ponder, observe and reflect. The way one understands, feels and perceives an art piece is a subject of his spiritual creatity, as true art inspires us to create, more properly — to co-create with an artist. The one who really gets to know a piece of art, can enrich it with one’s personal emotions and interpretation, even if the latter doesn’t fully coincide with the meaning, the artist put into it. This is the essence of life and meaning of pieces of art. The article suggests an analysis of two complicated and interesting drawings by Pieter Brueghel «Elck» and «The Beekeepers and the Birdnester» filled with symbols, metaphors and allegories. When studying «The Beekeepers and the Birdnester», one should keep in mind that it was one of the last works by Brueghel, who had already experienced a long journey of profound and impartial contemplation of men, motifs of their behavior and their inner worlds.

Keywords:

drawings by Pieter Brueghel, Elck, The Beekeepers and the Birdnester