Netherlandish Proverbs is a 1559 oil-on-oak-panel painting by Pieter Bruegel the Elder which depicts a land populated with literal renditions of Dutch/Flemish proverbs of the day. The picture is overflowing with references and most of the representations can still be identified; while many of the proverbs have either been forgotten or never made the transition to the English language, some are still in use.
Proverbs were popular during Bruegelâs time and his paintings have themes of the absurdity, wickedness and foolishness of mankind, and this painting is no exception. The picture was originally entitled The Blue Cloak or The Folly of the World which indicates he was not intending to produce a mere collection of proverbs but rather a study of human stupidity. Many of the people depicted show the characteristic blank features which Bruegel used to portray fools.Â
Even weirder is the number of these proverbs which centered around the theme of arses and defecation. I shit you not:
Image Two: âTo crap on the Worldâ meaning âTo despise everythingâ
Image Three: âHe who eats fire, craps sparksâ meaning âDo not be surprised at the outcome if you attempt a dangerous ventureâ
Image Four: âTo wipe oneâs backside on the doorâ meaning âTo treat something lightlyâ
Image Five: âThey both crap through the same holeâ meaning âThey are in agreementâ
For the other proverbs depicted in the painting, see here. For similar treats, see here.
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