A29: Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s Topsy-Turvy World - 3 units
Don Fry
Thurs. 9:00–10:30 a.m. - Sept. 11, 18, 25, Oct. 2
Senior Center - Limit: 75

Don Fry, an independent writing coach, has taught medieval English and journalism at UVa., SUNY Stony Brook, and Poynter Institute. He has given JILL courses on Homer, Durer, and Van Eyck. Don collects books on Flemish art and creates satirical automata sculptures for his own amusement.

We will study Pieter Bruegel the Elder (ca. 1525-1569), the premier Flemish painter of the 16th century. After a survey of his career and development as an artist, set against his tempestuous times, participants will discuss Bruegel’s methods and thought. We will focus on his techniques as a landscape painter, his drawings for prints, his depictions of contemporary life, and his satirical humor. This is not a course in art history but in visual thinking, so participants need no background.

Suggested Reading: Any book on Bruegel with lots of pictures. Walter S. Gibson,  Bruegel. (New York and Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1977).Wolfgang Stechow,  Pieter Bruegel the Elder. (New York: Abrams, 1969).