Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1525-1569)
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
Soldier: "Sheriff! The peasants are revolting!"
Sheriff of Nottingham: "I know, you idiot!
I can smell them from here!"
Because he often painted peasants, people assume that Bruegel was a peasant himself. But, don't confuse the art with the artist (or, the actor). Bruegel was a townsman and his attitude about the "rustics" was typical of the time. Remember Shakespeare's characters, Quince the Carpenter and Bottom the Weaver?
Local yokels were regarded as figures of fun who led a simple, honest life and were untouched by the artificial veneer
of the aristocrats.
The Sheriff of Nottingham eagerly joins in the dance, but his partner looks worried. Perhaps she has heard of his bad temper and noticed the threatening utensil stuck conveniently in his hat.
Click to see the real Peasant Dance
Click image above to go to the next page, or choose a thumbnail belowto go directly to that FAMOUS ARt.
(I always give permission, but it's still nice to ask first)