Introduction
Brueghelism шis an interactive and educational board game about Netherlandish artist Pieter Bruegel the Elder and XVI century. The aim of the project is to introduce the idea of Brueghel’s art throught events that occured in XVI century.
Brueghelism guide
Pieter Bruegel (about 1525-69), usually known as Pieter Bruegel the Elder to distinguish him from his elder son, was the first in a family of Flemish painters. He spelled his name Brueghel until 1559, and his sons retained the “h” in the spelling of their names. Pieter Bruegel the Elder, generally considered the greatest Flemish painter of the 16th century, is by far the most important member of the family. He was probably born in Breda in the Duchy of Brabant, now in The Netherlands. Accepted as a master in the Antwerp painters’ guild in 1551, he was apprenticed to Coecke van Aelst, a leading Antwerp artist, sculptor, architect, and designer of tapestry and stained glass. Bruegel traveled to Italy in 1551 or 1552, completing a number of paintings, mostly landscapes, there. Returning home in 1553, he settled in Antwerp but ten years later moved permanently to Brussels. He married van Aelst’s daughter, Mayken, in 1563. His association with the van Aelst family drew Bruegel to the artistic traditions of the Mechelen (now Malines) region in which allegorical and peasant themes run strongly. His paintings, including his landscapes and scenes of peasant life, stress the absurd and vulgar, yet are full of zest and fine detail. They also expose human weaknesses and follies. He was sometimes called the “peasant Bruegel” from such works as Peasant Wedding Feast (1567).
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The Blind Leading the Blind (1568)
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Historical value
Brueghelism contains historical references and introduceыs them to the player in an interactive and educational way. All characters are based on real historical personalities. Events and tasks in the game are connected with artist’s living period - XVI century. The story of XVI century started under Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and king of Spain from Habsburg dynasty also ruling a part of the Seventeen Provinces of the Netherlands. The idea of the “world Christian state” in the mind of Charles was associated with Catholicism. He became the main enemy of the Protestants. The emperor fought against heresies, seeing in them crimes against divine and human spiritual authority and he used heavy violence. Especially strong violence were in the Netherlands, where most of the population professed Lutheranism, Calvinism, or Anabaptism. Charles fiercely suppressed all these trends. He gave the Dutch bishops special rights of inquisitors to search and eradicate heresies, and issued a number of special decrees, called posters. Particularly cruel was the poster of 1550, which threatened the death penalty to all who did not profess Catholicism. Men were beheaded with a sword, and women were buried alive in the ground. Burning at the stake was widely practiced. The property of the heretics and those who helped or were simply noticed talking to them was confiscated.
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Charles V (1500-1558) Holy Roman Emperor, King of Spain (1516-1556).
Martin Luther (1483-1546) German theologian and religious reformer, catalyst of the 16th-century Protestant Reformation (1517).
Brueghelism guide
Philip II of Spain (1527-1598) King of Spain, Castile and Aragon, the son of Chrales V (1556-1598).
Margaret of Parma (1522-1586) Governor of the Netherlands, the illegitimate daughter of Charles V (1559-1567).
Pope Leo X (1475-1521) From Medici family, excommunicated Marthing Luther from the Church. (1513-1521).
Francis I of France (1494-1547) King of France, enemy of Charles V. “Italian war� 1521-1526. (1515-1547).
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ะกoat of arms of France (1515-1578) The arms of France Modern. King Francis I changed the open crown traditionally used by his predecessors for a closed one.
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ะกoat of arms of Spain (1530-1556) Coat of Arms of Charles I of Spain, Charles V as Holy Roman Emperor.
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During Charles’ (o1) reign and afterwards, specific laws made it acceptable to persecute and execute Protestants. As a result, several nobles from the Lower Countries paraded through the streets of Brussels to peacefully petition for better rights for Protestants. Margaret of Parma (o2) was Governor of the area at this time, and she suspended the laws while she sought counsel from Philip II (o3). During the period that the laws were suspended, several Protestants began attending public ceremonies. It wasn’t long before an especially inspired speech resulted in a small uprising, where several Protestants stormed a local monastery and defaced it. This particular event didn’t occur out of the blue, but as a result of years of pent up tension and aggression between the Protestants and the Catholics. Add to that the fact that the area was facing an economic crisis, and social unrest was inevitable. After gaining word about the destruction of the monastery, Philip II ordered the Duke of Alva (o4) to the Netherlands to stop the unrest and establish Spain’s authority over the population.
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And Alva did just that, in his own unique and terrible way. The Duke of Alva established the Council of Troubles, which became known as the Council of Blood, because of its many death sentences against those involved in the attack on the monastery.
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Duke of Alva (1507-1582) Spanish, general, and diplomatĐą. Known as the Iron Duke because of his ruthlessness, he almost succeeded in putting down the rising in the Low Countries against Spain.
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Key people in Bruegel’s life
The game contains several people who knew the Artist and were a part of his life back in his times. Pieter Coecke van Aelst was the first person in chronology and the first master of the artist. After the death of his master in 1440, Brueghel became a member of Guild of Saint luke for painters in Antwerp. He also started to work in Hieronymus Cock’s workshop where they where selling engravingsю. ФAt this place Pieter first saw works of Hieronymus Bosch - Netherlandish draughtsman and painter from Brabant. He was so inspired that he started to copy his works and try to learn the genre. The owner of workshop noticed it and decided to use the young and naive artist, he asked Bruegel to make several sketches. Later he sold them with fake Bosch signature. In 1563 he married a young daughter of van Aelst which Bruegel used to carry on hands when she was a child. ШSome references and book of Karel van Mander about Deutch Artists says that Bruegel have some romantic relations with a servant lady. By the story this young maiden was such a liar that Pieter couldnt stand it anymore. Motherin-law цwas so concerned that this may affect marriageб, so she decided to sentd Breugel away form temptationю. In 1563 Breughel and his wife Mayken moved form Antwerp to Brussels.
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Pieter Coecke van Aelst (1502-1550) Flemish painter, first Master of Pieter Brueghel, member Guild of Saint luke for painters.
Hieronymus Cock (1518-1570) Flemish painter, publisher, distributor of prints, member Guild of Saint luke for painters.
Hieronymus Bosch (1450-1516) Netherlandish draughtsman and painter, inspiration for Bruegelюбю.
Brueghelism guide
Mayken Coecke (1545-1578) Daughter of Pieter Coecke van Aelst, wife of Pieter Bruegel the Elder.
Servant (XVI century) Mysterious woman from Karel van Mander’s book, one of the Wreasons why Bruegelюбю moved to Brussels.
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Art transformation
Illustrations for the game made in rubber hose style, popular style of animation that appeared in 20th century. In the last couple of years there were a series of computer games produced in such style. This style is popular among young people, cartoon lovers, designers and illustrators. Transformation of Brueghel’s artworks allowed to look at pictures from a different perspective. However refreshed illustrations still have the same sense and idea behind the picture.
Brueghelism guide
ААFrom the series The Seven Deadly Sins, 1558.
01 - Sloth (Desidia) 02 - Lust (Luxuria) 03 - Lust (Luxuria) 04 - Envy (Invidia)
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Big Fish Eat Little Fish, 1556.
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ААFrom the series The Seven Deadly Sins, 1558.
05 - Gluttony (Gula) 06 - Pride (Superbia) 07 - Anger (Ira)
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The Fall of the Rebel Angels, 1562.
09 - Fish 10 - Reptile 11, 27 - Angel 12 - Fishes
Ice Skating before the Gate of Saint George in Antwerp, 1558.
13 - Згskates 14 - Skater 19 - Dress 20 - Skaters
The Triumph of Death, 1562.
16 - Time 17 - Chariot 18 - ЫрфвщцShadow
Dulle Griet (Mad Meg), 1562.
22 - ЗдфенPlate 23 - ЗдфенFish
Children’s Games, 1559-1560
21 - Scarecrow
The Land of Cockayne, 1567.
24 - Egg
The Tower of Babel, 1563.
15 - Tower
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The Fall of the Rebel Angels, 1562.
11 - Angel
The Last Judgement, Bosch, 1482.
25 - Reptile.
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ААFrom the series The Seven Deadly Sins, 1558.
26 - Anger (Ira)
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