The Tower of Babel

Artist: Pieter Bruegel the Elder

Title: Tower of Babel

Date: 1563

Medium: Oil on canvas

Provenance: Kunsthistorishes museum, Vienna

Source: http://historylists.org/art/list-of-10-remarkable-religious-renaissance-paintings.html

This painting is based on the story in the bible. In the story, people came together to build a tower with a goal to reach heaven. God was angered by this, and he scattered the people around the world with different languages so that they couldn't finish their project. The painting uses warm colors that are slightly muted. There is a group of people on a nearby cliff, working on plans for the tower. The building appears to be on a coast or body of water. It is only half completed.

The sloping lines of the tower point your eyes to the top of the sky, or heaven. The colors are warm but slightly muted. The building itself is emphasized because it is in the middle, as well as the top of the sky (heaven) because the building points toward it. The people on the cliff are an example of proportion, because they are closer to the viewer than the tower. The cool colors of the background and warm colors of the tower create contrast.

Interpret: Heaven is emphasized through line because in this story, it is what created desire and downfall for the people. The slightly muted but warm colors are a sign of hope and devotion to God. The building is emphasized as well as Heaven because they are the main symbols of the story. The people are shown like this to tell the viewer how large and grand the tower is. The contrast of the background and the tower show the difference between man made things and natural things.

Judge: I like this painting  because I think the story is interesting. I feel drawn into the work because the tower is so large and incredible for that time period. The colors and lines bring my eyes to this piece. It is very interesting to look at because of this. The message is definitely communicated in this piece.