Galerie Dreyfus
11
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PIETER BRUEGHEL THE YOUNGER (attributed to)
(BRUSSELS 1578 –…
See original version (French)
11
-
PIETER BRUEGHEL THE YOUNGER (attributed to)
(BRUSSELS 1578 –…
See original version (French)
Estimate €60,000 - €75,000
Voluntary lot
Description
PIETER BRUEGHEL THE YOUNGER (attributed to)
(BRUSSELS 1578 – ANTWERP 1638)
The Bride’s Dance
Oil on panel
55.5 × 73 cm
This lively scene of a wedding dance is one of the most
iconic subjects in Brueghel’s repertoire, inherited from Pieter Brueghel the Elder and widely
popularised by his son in the early 17th century. The work demonstrates a remarkable
understanding of the original models, whilst displaying a freedom of execution and a
pictorial vitality characteristic of the finest compositions attributed to Pieter Brueghel
the Younger. The composition, dense and skilfully orchestrated, brings together a large number of
figures arranged in dynamic groups, organised around a central space structured by
tree trunks. The foreground is dominated by the dancers, depicted in
expressive and varied poses, accurately conveying the movement and rhythm of
the celebration. The scene extends into the background with the wedding banquet, an essential narrative
element that anchors the work within the specific context of the celebration. The colour palette,
which is particularly rich and well-preserved, is one of this panel’s major strengths. The
deep reds, warm yellows and luminous greens are set off by cooler tones,
creating a harmonious balance and contributing to the clarity of the composition as a whole. The freshness of the
colours, rarely preserved to this degree in works from this period, enhances the visual impact
and presence of the painting. The individualised treatment of the figures deserves
particular attention. Each character has a distinct appearance and a specific role
within the scene, revealing a keen observation of human behaviour. This
multiplicity of secondary scenes, integrated into a coherent overall composition, is
characteristic of the Brueghelian tradition and lends the work a lasting narrative richness.
Attributed to Pieter Brueghel the Younger, this painting stands out for the quality of
its execution and its format, which corresponds to that of the most sought-after
panels by the artist and his circle. Works of this size, depicting scenes of village
festivities with such a high degree of finish and such a density of figures, are today
relatively rare on the market. The panel exemplifies the dissemination and
adaptation of Pieter Brueghel the Elder’s compositions by his son, whilst demonstrating
the latter’s ability to infuse these subjects with renewed energy and a strong
pictorial presence. Far from being a mere repetition, the work reveals a confident hand, a
deep understanding of the model and a keen sense of visual narrative. *The Wedding
Dance* thus stands as a particularly captivating example of the Flemish tradition of
genre scenes at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. Through the liveliness of its composition, the
richness of its colour palette and the quality of its preservation, it stands out as a rare
and significant work within the body of work attributed to Pieter Brueghel the Younger, and as a
key painting for any collection dedicated to early Flemish painting.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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