diabolical figures, bizarre monsters, sea creatures, butterflies, poultry, armoured knights, tentacles, tails, eggs and fruit ... in the work of Pieter Bruegel the Elder devils and demons have a surprising expression

3. In the sixteenth century many celestial phenomena, physical deformities, diseases and epidemics
were as yet inexplicable, and were put down to the influence of devils and demons
In the visual arts, devils and demons are given striking expression in the work of Pieter Bruegel the Elder …

4. Demons and devils
by
Pieter Bruegel the Elder

6. volcanic, fascinating, chaotic ... a horror film in painted form
diabolical figures, bizarre monsters, strange creatures,
weird structures, the horizon on fire
Mad Meg advances towards the mouth of Hell with her suit of armour, a metal cap, cutlery, money,
a knife and a sword
... demons are raising a drawbridge, and we are left to guess whether Dulle Griet is seeking to bring
her booty to a safe place or to conquer Hell

7. BRUEGEL, Pieter the Elder
Mad Meg
Margot la Folle
1562
Museum Mayer van den Bergh, Antwerp

25. a barren landscape:
trees and grass are withered
the fires of Hell blaze behind the hills
no escape from the army of Death:
the boat of death carrying its grisly cargo of skeletons
the wagon-load of skulls and bones pulled along by an emaciated horse ridden by a skeleton
the inevitability of death:
a cardinal is helped towards his fate by a skeleton who mockingly wears the red hat
king's barrel of gold coins is looted by a skeleton
a couple of lovers playing music, but death is behind them

26. BRUEGEL, Pieter the Elder
Triumph of Death
Le Triomphe de la Mort
1562
Museo del Prado, Madrid

45. "And there was war in heaven Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. And the dragon fought
and his angels, and prevailed not ..."
Apocalypse 12:7
Emerging from depths monsters are thrown to earth, and within the "mêlée" …
archangel Michael's allies, elegantly garbed in delicate, luminously coloured albs, moving around
in a clear and azure sky
which is in profound contrast
with the darkness reserved for fallen angels who have lost their angelic natures,
and as they fall, transform into a dense and chaotic throng of devils,
sea creatures, butterflies, poultry, armoured knights, tentacles, tails, eggs and fruit

46. BRUEGEL, Pieter the Elder
The Fall of the Rebel Angels
La chute des anges rebelles
1562
Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts, Brussels

66. olga_oes
Demons and devils
by
Pieter Bruegel the Elder
images and text credit www.
Music The Piano Guys, Code Name Vivaldi (Bourne
Soundtrack/Vivaldi Double Cello Concerto)
created olga.e.
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