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450-YEAR-OLD DUTCH PAINTING OBTAINS 100 HIDDEN PROVERBS STILL USED IN MODERN LANGUAGE

Published: 2025-11-30 16:05:32 Last Updated: 2025-12-01 11:04:55

Feathered birds congregate in flocks. The mice will play while the cat is away. These common American proverbs are well-known and beloved by many. These proverbs put our intelligence and wit to the test. They are frequently foolish, humorous, and sometimes satirical. It's not limited to English either. For centuries, various cultures have been characterised by their use of language in literature, speech, and art.
In light of this, Dutch master Pieter Bruegel the Elder created his amazing Netherlandish Proverbs more than 450 years ago. This intricate oil on wood work, often called The Dutch Proverbs, depicts more than 100 Dutch proverbs. Bruegel is renowned for his intricately detailed paintings, and what initially appears to be a straightforward village scene with a large cast of figures quickly turns out to be something more.
The Dutch proverbs are widely applicable. Some are just fantastically funny, some have become obsolete, and some are fairly close to their American English counterparts. There is a treasure trove of figurines acting out various sentences as you move across the panel. Even colour has meaning.

For example, it is impossible to interpret the adage without comprehending the colour symbols in the case of the red-clad woman in the painting's centre. When the painting was created in 1559, crimson was considered a sinful hue. The other half of the story is revealed by the blue cloak she is covering her spouse with. Blue is frequently associated with foolishness or infidelity, which indicates that this woman is cheating on her spouse rather than just giving him his coat!

Follow along as we explain some of our favourite Dutch proverbs, providing you with the original (if needed) as well as the meaning or English/American equivalent. It's amazing to consider how Bruegel was able to incorporate so much into a single piece of art, given his inventiveness and inventiveness.

Additionally, Google Arts & Culture offers a great high-resolution photograph that allows you to delve into the specifics of each and every proverb, even though you have to travel to Berlin's Gemäldegalerie to view the original.

Article Tags: Viral Hidden Painting Proverbs Dutch