Labours of the Months

work by Bruegel

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June 30, 2026

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The "Labours of the Months" is a celebrated series of paintings created by Pieter Bruegel the Elder in 1565. This series, of which five paintings survive, depicts various activities associated with each month of the year, showcasing peasant life and the changing seasons.1

Bruegel, a renowned Flemish painter of the 16th century, is known for his detailed and often witty scenes of peasant life and landscapes. In the "Labours of the Months" series, Bruegel masterfully subordinates human figures to the grandeur of the landscape, capturing the essence of rural existence throughout the year. One notable painting from this series is "Hunters in the Snow (Winter)," which represents December and January and is celebrated for its intricate details and its contribution to the development of landscape painting in Northern Europe.12

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Pieter Bruegel, the Elder
Artistic evolution and affinities of Pieter Bruegel, the Elder
…the celebrated series known as Labours of the Months. In the five of these that have survived, he subordinated the figures to the great lines of the landscape. Later on, crowds appear again, disposed in densely concentrated groups.
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…the celebrated series known as Labours of the Months. In the five of these that have survived, he subordinated the figures to the great lines of the landscape. Later on, crowds appear again, disposed in densely concentrated groups.
Read More