Twelve Proverbs Pieter Brueghel The Elder (1525-1569)

This painting, Twelve Proverbs, presents a grid of twelve circular scenes, each against a stark red background, bordered by black. Above the grid, a Latin inscription reads, HAC PERHIBENT VITAL GESTV VT RIDENDA FACETO CONSILIA ET MORES INGENIOSE NOTANT, which translates to something like, These things, while amusing, demonstrate the wisdom and customs, to be noted ingeniously. Below each circular scene is a line of text, likely in a Dutch dialect, explaining the depicted proverb.

The scenes themselves are allegorical and often depict human folly and vice.

• Top Row, Left: A man is shown cutting off his leg or foot, illustrating a proverb about self-harm or futile effort.

• Top Row, Second from Left: A man appears to beat a shadow, symbolizing futile actions or chasing illusions.

• Top Row, Third from Left: A woman is depicted hauling a large basket or bag, possibly representing the burden of domestic or worldly responsibilities.

• Top Row, Right: A man is seated in a chair, seemingly defecating or engaging in a similarly base act, reflecting on vulgarity or low desires.

• Second Row, Left: A man is shoveling into a burning furnace or forge, hinting at excessive labor or destructive endeavors.

• Second Row, Second from Left: A man, seemingly a preacher or peddler, is scattering seeds amongst pigs, suggesting misplaced efforts or offering valuable things to the unworthy.

• Second Row, Third from Left: A knight is restraining a snarling dog, potentially symbolizing the struggle against base instincts or uncontrolled aggression.

• Second Row, Right: A figure holds a burning lantern, possibly representing a futile search for truth or enlightenment, or perhaps a warning light going unheeded.

• Bottom Row, Left: A man is seen pushing a barrel uphill, a classic depiction of Sisyphean labor, or an endless, unproductive task.

• Bottom Row, Second from Left: A man is fishing with a net in a dry area, illustrating a lack of opportunity or trying to achieve something impossible.

• Bottom Row, Third from Left: A cloaked figure stands in darkness, perhaps representing ignorance, despair, or a hidden vice.

• Bottom Row, Right: A figure, possibly a child, is urinating on a crescent moon, a symbol that can relate to transience, impurity, or disrespect for the celestial.

The overall subtext of Twelve Proverbs is a commentary on the foolishness, vices, and absurdities of human behavior. Each scene, accompanied by its explanatory text, serves as a moral lesson, warning viewers against engaging in such self-defeating, unproductive, or immoral actions. The vibrant red backgrounds might symbolize passion, life, or even blood, making the depiction of these follies even more stark and impactful against the otherwise dark and somber aesthetic. The painting, likely from the Northern Renaissance period, aligns with the artistic and cultural preoccupations of that era, which frequently explored morality, social satire, and the human condition through allegorical imagery.