Bruegel Life, Death and Peasants

Bruegel | Life, Death and Peasants | Art History Documentary

TheHistoryOfArt
Premiered Jul 18, 2025  #ArtHistory #ArtDocumentary #Bruegel
Step into the world of Pieter Bruegel the Elder — the master who turned peasant weddings, snowy landscapes, and chaotic village scenes into some of the greatest masterpieces in Western art.

In an age of divine ideals and Renaissance elegance, Bruegel dared to paint the world as it truly was: raw, bustling, and profoundly human.

This in-depth documentary explores his most iconic works, his influence on Flemish painting, and the timeless genius behind his crowded canvases.

We trace Bruegel’s life from his early travels through Italy to his legendary works like The Peasant Wedding, The Hunters in the Snow, and The Tower of Babel.

Along the way, we uncover his biting satire, brilliant compositions, and the way he captured the rhythms of everyday life like no one before him.

Whether you’re an art history enthusiast or just curious about one of the most original painters of the 16th century, this is your complete guide to the world of Bruegel.

00:00 Introduction
00:14 Bruegel Summary
01:08 Early Career and time in Antwerp
01:45 Switch to Italy
02:17 Games & Proverbs - Bruegel's Lively Scenes
03:13 Peasant Life
03:54 Landscapes & Working Lives
04:46 Tower of Babel
05:30 Life and Death
06:24 The Bruegel Family Dynasty
09:00 Conclusion - the Legacy of Pieter Bruegel the Elder