Representations of demons and devils (1562)
by Pieter BRUEGEL the Elder

The sixteenth century saw the exploration of the Earth's surface, a fresh survey of the heavens, the examination of the human body, and the cataloguing of the animal and plant worlds. People's interest was focused upon reality. At that time, however, many will have regarded as real, as existing, not only trees and animals, but also demons. Many celestial phenomena, physical deformities, diseases and epidemics were as yet inexplicable, and were accordingly put down to the influence of devils and demons, together with their human accomplices. The latter alone, the witches and sorcerers, could be caught and punished. Thousands supposedly in league with the forces of evil - in particular women - were tortured, found guilty, and burnt at the stake.

In the visual arts, devils and demons are given striking expression in the work of Hieronymus Bosch. Bruegel used his own fantasy to develop the tradition established by Bosch. He executed three pictures of similar size for an unknown patron in c. 1562. In the Fall of the Rebel Angels he depicted the origins of the demons. In the Dulle Griet (Mad Meg) he assembled the figures of the underworld around Dulle Griet, a traditional figure in Flanders. In the Triumph of Death we encounter not brutish demons up to their mischief but skeletons using scythes to mow everyone down, be he a king or a cardplayer seeking to defend himself with his sword, a mercenary soldier or a pair of lovers making music all unsuspectingly.

The quality and richness of invention manifested in this series of paintings bear witness to Bruegel's familiarity with the world of demons.

Preview Picture Data File Info Comment
The Triumph of Death
c. 1562
Oil on panel, 117 x 162 cm
Museo del Prado, Madrid

1600*1142
True Color
279 Kb



The Triumph of Death (detail)
c. 1562
Oil on panel
Museo del Prado, Madrid

692*818
True Color
182 Kb



The Triumph of Death (detail)
c. 1562
Oil on panel
Museo del Prado, Madrid

800*1049
True Color
201 Kb



The Triumph of Death (detail)
c. 1562
Oil on panel, width of detail 43 cm
Museo del Prado, Madrid

950*1147
True Color
209 Kb



The Triumph of Death (detail)
c. 1562
Oil on panel
Museo del Prado, Madrid

1162*1000
True Color
206 Kb



The Triumph of Death (detail)
c. 1562
Oil on panel
Museo del Prado, Madrid

1050*1139
True Color
211 Kb



The Triumph of Death (detail)
c. 1562
Oil on panel
Museo del Prado, Madrid

900*1067
True Color
152 Kb



The Triumph of Death (detail)
c. 1562
Oil on panel
Museo del Prado, Madrid

1118*950
True Color
168 Kb



The Triumph of Death (detail)
c. 1562
Oil on panel, width of detail 34 cm
Museo del Prado, Madrid

900*1128
True Color
176 Kb



The Triumph of Death (detail)
c. 1562
Oil on panel, width of detail 43 cm
Museo del Prado, Madrid

1352*647
True Color
171 Kb



The Triumph of Death (detail)
c. 1562
Oil on panel
Museo del Prado, Madrid

600*1371
True Color
126 Kb



Dulle Griet (Mad Meg)
c. 1562
Oil on wood, 117,4 x 162 cm
Museum Mayer van den Bergh, Antwerp

1157*820
True Color
194 Kb



Dulle Griet (detail)
c. 1562
Oil on wood
Museum Mayer van den Bergh, Antwerp

754*1024
True Color
168 Kb



Dulle Griet (detail)
c. 1562
Oil on wood
Museum Mayer van den Bergh, Antwerp

900*1188
True Color
182 Kb



Dulle Griet (detail)
c. 1562
Oil on wood
Museum Mayer van den Bergh, Antwerp

850*1055
True Color
140 Kb



Dulle Griet (detail)
c. 1562
Oil on wood
Museum Mayer van den Bergh, Antwerp

850*1078
True Color
157 Kb



The Fall of the Rebel Angels
1562
Oil on oak, 117 x 162 cm
Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts, Brussels

1096*801
True Color
189 Kb



The Fall of the Rebel Angels (detail)
1562
Oil on oak
Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts, Brussels

1000*1195
True Color
160 Kb



The Fall of the Rebel Angels (detail)
1562
Oil on oak
Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts, Brussels

800*1015
True Color
192 Kb




Summary of works by Pieter Bruegel the Elder
Paintings
Landscapes | Children's games | Proverbs
Village life | Demons and devils | Tower of Babel
Series of Months | Religious themes | St John the Baptist
Peasant life | Large figures | Miscellaneous
Graphics