Bruegel: The Complete Graphic Works

One of the greatest Flemish artists, Pieter Bruegel the Elder is best known today for his paintings of peasant life. Yet it was through his exceptional graphic work that he achieved widespread fame during the 16th century. This luxurious book offers readers the opportunity to explore Bruegel’s entire catalogue of graphic works and prints.

Published as part of the Bruegel anniversary year celebrations, this luxurious book accompanies a new exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum Bruegel to Rubens: Great Flemish Drawings from the 23 March 2024 until 23 June 2024.

Whilst working as a printmaker, Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1525/30-1569) created several print series for publisher Hieronymus Cock that depicted demons, virtuous souls, fools, and peasants working the land. In line with the work of Hieronymus Bosch, Bruegel's prints were known to be imaginative and fantastical, leading his contemporaries to refer to him as the "second Bosch."

Expert analysis and insights from renowned scholars on Bruegel's graphic work are featured in this book, including discussions on the Royal Library of Belgium's unparalleled collection, the results of the Fingerprint research project, Bruegel as a draughtsman and printmaker, and the posthumous legacy of his work. The essays are followed by 80 reproductions of his drawings, all published at the size of the original works.

About the authors:

Maarten Bassens is a curator at the Royal Library of Belgium in Brussels. Lieve Watteeuw is head of the Book Heritage Lab at the University of Leuven. Joris Van Grieken is a curator at the Royal Library of Belgium in Brussels. Jan Van der Stock is a professor at the University of Leuven, where he lectures on Medieval and Renaissance Arts, Graphic Arts, Iconography, Iconology and Curatorship.