Pieter Bruegel (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)

Rating:
Summary: Can you find the hidden messages in Bruegel's paintings?
Review: What this book really needs is one of those little guides that explains all of the fun little details in Bruegel's painting of "Netherlandish Proverbs." Mike Venezia points out that we can see a man butting his head against a brick wall and a lady crying over spilt milk, but there are dozens more proverbs being acted out. Then again, I suppose kids (and adults) could have fun trying to figure out what some of these mean. Venezia argues that "Maybe more than any other great artist, Pieter Bruegel created unforgettable art that is just plain fun to look at." This claim is supported by reproductions of over a dozen of Bruegel's paintings, along with other works by his two sons, Raphael, and Hieronymus Bosch, an artist with whom Bruegel is often confused. Venezia tells how it is believe Bruegell had secret messages hidden in his paintings, so young readers will find his artwork quite interesting. Not much is known about Bruegel's life, so the emphasis is predominantly on his paintings. As always, Venezia adds a few choice cartoons of his own adding humor to the art appreciation lesson. Other volumes in the Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists series include looks at the life and works of Botticelli, Monet, Picasso, and Van Gogh. Once you read once of these, it is hard to not track down the rest.

Rating:
Summary: Can you find the hidden messages in Bruegel's paintings?
Review: What this book really needs is one of those little guides that explains all of the fun little details in Bruegel's painting of "Netherlandish Proverbs." Mike Venezia points out that we can see a man butting his head against a brick wall and a lady crying over spilt milk, but there are dozens more proverbs being acted out. Then again, I suppose kids (and adults) could have fun trying to figure out what some of these mean. Venezia argues that "Maybe more than any other great artist, Pieter Bruegel created unforgettable art that is just plain fun to look at." This claim is supported by reproductions of over a dozen of Bruegel's paintings, along with other works by his two sons, Raphael, and Hieronymus Bosch, an artist with whom Bruegel is often confused. Venezia tells how it is believe Bruegell had secret messages hidden in his paintings, so young readers will find his artwork quite interesting. Not much is known about Bruegel's life, so the emphasis is predominantly on his paintings. As always, Venezia adds a few choice cartoons of his own adding humor to the art appreciation lesson. Other volumes in the Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists series include looks at the life and works of Botticelli, Monet, Picasso, and Van Gogh. Once you read once of these, it is hard to not track down the rest.