Comments on: Bruegel’s treatment of the Christ

By: Not Too Much, Not Too Little: Content in art « The Aesthetic Elevator

Not Too Much, Not Too Little: Content in art « The Aesthetic Elevator — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:58:24 +0000

[...] from the editors of a book I criticized, too harshly in my wife’s opinion, this past March. I’m not exactly certain what to [...]

By: Some bloggy love. « Conscious, and Occasionally Organized, Ramblings

Some bloggy love. « Conscious, and Occasionally Organized, Ramblings — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 13:54:12 +0000

[...] Aesthetic Elevator is another blog I try to read daily . I really, really loved this post on Bruegel, although I’m a little late spreading the love on this one. Also, check out some of his new [...]

By: TAE

TAE — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:23:52 +0000

Politics may also have played into Bruegel’s stepping away from the more overtly pious appearing paintings according to the Time-Life book. The Spanish king who had control over northern Europe at that point in time was viciously trying to root out any non-Catholic sentiments such as Lutheranism and Calvinism. Funny thing is, IIRC, nothing has been established up to this point in the writing about which side of that battle Bruegel was on . . .

By: Mo-Coffee

Mo-Coffee — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 02:04:57 +0000

YES YES YES! go ahead and take all the pictures out of the book and trash the commentary! I think you’ve nailed it. I am increasingly disturbed at the really biased “objective” reporting one finds in many art history texts- where context and function seem totally ignored- especially if it is religious.

I find Bruegel’s work incredibly spiritual-and TIMELY-largely for the reason you stated above.

I do think there is a worldly-ness to be considered, but in the context of the INCARNATION of Christ, which I think Bruegel is driving home. It’s as if Bruegel is screaming to his society. LOOK. HERE. NOW! This is who Christ is, who he came for, and why he did what he did.

Thanks for sharing this!