Netherlandish Proverbs

Netherlandish Proverbs (Dutch: Nederlandse Spreekwoorden; also called Flemish Proverbs, The Blue Cloak or The Topsy Turvy World) is a 1559 oil-on-oak-panel painting by Pieter Bruegel the Elder that depicts a scene in which humans and, to a lesser extent, animals and objects, offer literal illustrations of Dutch-language proverbs and idioms.

Netherlandish Proverbs
ArtistPieter Bruegel the Elder
Year1559
MediumOil-on-panel
Dimensions117 cm × 163 cm (46 in × 64 in)
LocationGemäldegalerie, Berlin

Running themes in Bruegel's paintings are the absurdity, wickedness and foolishness of humans, and this is no exception. The painting's original title, The Blue Cloak or The Folly of the World, indicates that Bruegel's intent was not just to illustrate proverbs, but rather to catalog human folly. Many of the people depicted show the characteristic blank features that Bruegel used to portray fools.[1]

His son, Pieter Brueghel the Younger, specialised in making copies of his father's work and painted at least 16 copies of Netherlandish Proverbs.[2] Not all versions of the painting, by father or son, show exactly the same proverbs and they also differ in other minor details.

History

Context

Proverbs were very popular in Bruegel's time and before; a hundred years before Bruegel's painting, illustrations of proverbs had been popular in the Flemish books of hours.[3] A number of collections were published, including Adagia, by the Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus.[4] The French writer François Rabelais employed significant numbers in his novel Gargantua and Pantagruel, completed in 1564.[5]

The Flemish artist Frans Hogenberg made an engraving illustrating 43 proverbs in around 1558, roughly the same time as Bruegel's painting.[6][7] The work is very similar in composition to Bruegel's and includes certain proverbs (like the blue cloak) which also feature prominently in Netherlandish Proverbs.[7] By depicting literal renditions of proverbs in a peasant setting, both artists have shown a "world turned upside down".[7]

Bruegel himself had painted several minor paintings on the subject of proverbs including Big Fish Eat Little Fish (1556) and Twelve Proverbs (1558), but Netherlandish Proverbs is thought to have been his first large-scale painting on the theme.

The painting

The painting, dated 1559, is considered the best of a series of similar paintings which at one time or other have all previously been attributed to Pieter Bruegel the Elder, has been x-rayed for its underdrawing to compare it to other versions. None of the versions have a provenance going back further than the late 19th-century, but Brueghel scholars believe that the paintings are the elder Bruegel's inventions, which all make use of a life-size cartoon with the same underdrawing as that used in the Berlin version.[8] The paintings, which are not inscribed, tease the viewer into guessing proverbs. They are based on 1558 and earlier engravings that are inscribed, in Flemish. The most notable of these regarding the paintings is by Frans Hogenberg, and it is dated 1558 and accompanied by the title Die blau huicke is dit meest ghenaemt, maer des weerelts abvisen he beter betaempt (English: Often called 'The Blue Cloak', this could better be called 'The World's Follies'). The Doetecum brothers produced a print series in 1577 called De Blauwe Huyck. Theodoor Galle also made a print, dated later, with a similar title: Dese wtbeeldinghe wort die blauw hvyck genaemt, maer deze werelts abvysen haer beter betaemt.[9]

Proverbs and idioms

Critics have praised the composition for its ordered portrayal and integrated scene.[7] There are approximately 112 identifiable proverbs and idioms in the scene, although Bruegel may have included others which cannot be determined because of the language change. Some of those incorporated in the painting are still in popular use, for instance "Swimming against the tide", "Banging one's head against a brick wall" and "Armed to the teeth". Many more have faded from use, which makes analysis of the painting harder. "Having one's roof tiled with tarts", for example, which meant to have an abundance of everything and was an image Bruegel would later feature in his painting of the idyllic Land of Cockaigne (1567).

The Blue Cloak, the piece's original title, features in the centre of the piece and is being placed on a man by his wife, indicating that she is cuckolding him. Other proverbs indicate human foolishness. A man fills in a pond after his calf has died. Just above the central figure of the blue-cloaked man, another man carries daylight in a basket. Some of the figures seem to represent more than one figure of speech (whether this was Bruegel's intention or not is unknown), such as the man shearing a sheep in the centre bottom left of the picture. He is sitting next to a man shearing a pig, so represents the expression "One shears sheep and one shears pigs", meaning that one has the advantage over the other, but may also represent the advice "Shear them but don't skin them", meaning make the most of available assets.

Expressions featured in the painting[10][11]
Proverb/idiomMeaningAreaImage
001 To be able to tie even the devil to a pillow (fr)(nl)Obstinacy overcomes everythingLower left
002 To be a pillar-biter (fr)(nl)To be a religious hypocriteLower left
003 Never believe someone who carries fire in one hand and water in the other (fr)(nl)To be two-faced and to stir up troubleLower left
004 To bang one's head against a brick wall (fr)(nl)To try to achieve the impossibleLower left
005 One foot shod, the other bare(fr)(nl)Balance is paramountLower left
006 The sow pulls the bung (fr)(nl)Negligence will be rewarded with disasterLower left
007 To bell the cat (fr)(nl)To carry out a dangerous or impractical planLower left
008 To be armed to the teeth (fr)(nl)To be heavily armedLower left
009 To put your armor on (fr)(nl)To be angryLower left
010 One shears sheep, the other shears pigs (fr)(nl)One has all the advantages, the other noneLower left
011 Shear them but do not skin them (fr)(nl)Do not press your advantage too farLower left
012 The herring does not fry here (nl)It's not going according to planLower left
013 To fry the whole herring for the sake of the roe (fr)(nl)To do too much to achieve a littleLower left
014 To get the lid on the head (nl)To end up taking responsibilityLower left
015 The herring hangs by its own gills (fr)(nl)You must accept responsibility for your own actionsLower left
016 There is more in it than an empty herring (nl)There is more to it than meets the eyeLower left
017 What can smoke do to iron? (fr)(nl)There is no point in trying to change the unchangeableLower left
018 To find the dog in the pot (fr)(nl)To arrive too late for dinner and find all the food has been eatenLower left[note 1]
019 To sit between two stools in the ashes (fr)(nl)To be indecisiveLower left
020 To be a hen feeler (fr)(nl)To be very miserly (feeling whether the hen is about to lay an egg before slaughtering it)Middle left
021 The scissors hang out there (fr)(nl)They are liable to cheat you thereUpper left
022 To always gnaw on a single bone (fr)(nl)To continually talk about the same subjectUpper left
023 It depends on the fall of the cards (fr)(nl)It is up to chanceUpper left
024 The world is turned upside down (fr)(nl)Everything is the opposite of what it should beUpper left
025 Leave at least one egg in the nest (fr)(nl)Always have something in reserveUpper left
026 To crap on the world (fr)(nl)To despise everythingUpper left
027 To lead each other by the nose (fr)(nl)To fool each otherUpper left
028 The die is cast (fr)(nl)The decision is madeUpper left
029 Fools get the best cards (fr)(nl)Luck can overcome intelligenceUpper left
030 To look through one's fingers (fr)(nl)To turn a blind eyeUpper left
031 There hangs the knife (fr)(nl)To issue a challengeUpper left
032 There stand the wooden shoes (fr)(nl)To wait in vainUpper left
033 To stick out the broom (fr)(nl)To have fun while the master is awayUpper left
034 To marry under the broomstick (fr)(nl)To live together without marryingUpper left
035 To have the roof tiled with tarts (fr)(nl)To be very wealthyUpper left
036 To have a hole in one's roof (fr)(nl)To be unintelligentUpper left
037 An old roof needs a lot of patching up (fr)(nl)Old things need more maintenanceUpper left
038 The roof has laths(fr)(nl)There could be eavesdroppers (The walls have ears)Middle left
039 To have toothache behind the ears(fr)(nl)To be a malingererMiddle left
040 To be pissing against the moon(fr)(nl)To waste one's time on a futile endeavourMiddle left
041 Here hangs the pot(fr)(nl)It is the opposite of what it should beMiddle left
042 To shoot a second bolt to find the first(fr)(nl)To repeat a foolish actionUpper left
043 To shave the fool without lather(fr)(nl)To trick somebodyMiddle
044 Two fools under one hood(fr)(nl)Stupidity loves companyMiddle
045 It grows out of the window(fr)(nl)It cannot be concealedMiddle
046 To play on the pillory(fr)(nl)To attract attention to one's shameful actsUpper middle
047 When the gate is open the pigs will run into the corn(fr)(nl)Disaster ensues from carelessnessUpper middle
048 When the corn decreases the pig increasesIf one person gains then another must loseUpper middle
049 To run like one's backside is on fire(fr)(nl)To be in great distressUpper middle
050 He who eats fire, craps sparksDo not be surprised at the outcome if you attempt a dangerous ventureUpper middle
051 To hang one's cloak according to the wind(fr)(nl)To adapt one's viewpoint to the current opinionUpper middle
052 To toss feathers in the wind (fr)(nl)To work fruitlesslyUpper middle
053 To gaze at the stork(fr)(nl)To waste one's timeUpper middle
054 To try to kill two flies with one stroke(fr)(nl)To be efficient (equivalent to today's To kill two birds with one stone)Upper middle
055 To fall from the ox onto the rear end of an ass(fr)(nl)To fall on hard timesUpper middle
056 To kiss the ring of the door (fr)(nl)To be obsequiousUpper middle
057 To wipe one's backside on the door (nl)To treat something lightlyUpper middle
058 To go around shouldering a burden (fr) (nl)To imagine that things are worse than they areUpper middle
059 One beggar pities the other standing in front of the door(nl)Being afraid for competitionUpper middle
060 To fish behind the net (fr)(nl)To miss an opportunityMiddle
061 Sharks eat smaller fish (fr)(nl)Anything people say will be put in perspective according to their level of importanceMiddle
062 To be unable to see the sun shine on the water(fr)(nl)To be jealous of another's successMiddle
063 It hangs like a privy over a ditch (fr)(nl)It is obviousMiddle
064 Anybody can see through an oak plank if there is a hole in it (fr)(nl)There is no point in stating the obviousMiddle
065 They both crap through the same hole (fr)(nl)They are inseparable comradesMiddle
066 To throw one's money into the water(fr)(nl)To waste one's moneyMiddle
067 A wall with cracks will soon collapse(fr)(nl)Anything poorly managed will soon failMiddle right
068 To not care whose house is on fire as long as one can warm oneself at the blaze(fr)(nl)To take every opportunity regardless of the consequences to othersMiddle right
069 To drag the block(fr)(nl)To be deceived by a lover or to work at a pointless taskUpper right
070 Fear makes the old woman trot(fr)(nl)An unexpected event can reveal unknown qualitiesUpper right
071 Horse droppings are not figs (fr)(nl)Do not be fooled by appearancesUpper right
072 If the blind lead the blind both will fall in the ditch(fr)(nl)There is no point in being guided by others who are equally ignorantUpper right
073 The journey is not yet over when one can discern the church and steeple (fr)(nl)Do not give up until the task is fully completeUpper right
074 Everything, however finely spun, finally comes to the sun(nl)Nothing can be hidden foreverUpper right
075 To keep one's eye on the sail(fr)(nl)To stay alert, be waryUpper right
076 To crap on the gallows(fr)(nl)To be undeterred by any penaltyUpper right
077 Where the carcass is, there fly the crows(fr)(nl)If there's something to be gained, everyone hurries in frontUpper right
078 It is easy to sail before the wind(fr)(nl)If conditions are favourable it is not difficult to achieve one's goalUpper right
079 Who knows why geese go barefoot?(fr)(nl)There is a reason for everything, though it may not be obviousUpper right
080 If I am not meant to be their keeper, I will let geese be geeseDo not interfere in matters that are not your concernUpper right
081 To see bears dancing[note 2](fr)(nl)To be starvingRight
082 Wild bears prefer each other's company[note 2](nl)Peers get along better with each other than with outsidersRight
083 To throw one's cowl over the fence(fr)(nl)To discard something without knowing whether it will be required laterRight
084 It is ill to swim against the current(fr)(nl)It is difficult to oppose the general opinionRight
085 The pitcher goes to the water until it finally breaks(fr)(nl)Everything has its limitationsRight
086 The broadest straps are cut from someone else's leather (fr)(nl)One is quick to another's money.Right
087 To hold an eel by the tail(fr)(nl)To undertake a difficult task (Compare: "Catch a tiger by the tail")Right
088 To fall through the basket(fr)(nl)To have your deception uncoveredRight
089 To be suspended between heaven and earth(fr)(nl)To be in an awkward situationRight
090 To keep the hen's egg and let the goose's egg go(fr)(nl)To make a bad decisionRight
091 To yawn against the oven(fr)(nl)To attempt more than one can manageLower right
092 To be barely able to reach from one loaf to another(fr)(nl)To have difficulty living within budgetLower right
093 A hoe without a handle(fr)(nl)Probably something useless[note 3]Lower right
094 To look for the hatchet(fr)(nl)To try to find an excuseLower right
095 Here he is with his lantern(fr)(nl)To finally have an opportunity to show a talentLower right
096 A hatchet with a handle(fr)(nl)Probably signifies "the whole thing"[note 3]Lower right
097 He who has spilt his porridge cannot scrape it all up again(fr)(nl)Once something is done it cannot be undone (Compare: "Don't cry over spilt milk")Lower right
098 To put a spoke through someone's wheel(fr)(nl)To put up an obstacle, to destroy someone's plansLower right
099 Love is on the side where the money bag hangs(fr)(nl)Love can be boughtLower right
100 To pull to get the longest end(fr)(nl)To attempt to get the advantageLower right
101 To stand in one's own light(fr)(nl)To behave contrarily to one's own happiness or advantageLower right
102 No one looks for others in the oven who has not been in there himself(fr)(nl)To imagine wickedness in others is a sign of wickedness in oneselfLower right
103 To have the world spinning on one's thumb(fr)(nl)To have every advantage (Compare: "To have the world in the palm of your hand")Lower right
104 To tie a flaxen beard to the face of Christ(fr)(nl)To hide deceit under a veneer of Christian pietyLower right
105 To have to stoop to get on in the world(fr)(nl)To succeed one must be willing to make sacrificesLower right
106 To cast roses before swine(fr)(nl)To waste effort on the unworthyLower middle
107 To fill the well after the calf has already drowned(fr)(nl)To take action only after a disaster (Compare: "Shutting the barn door after the horse has bolted")Lower middle
108 To be as gentle as a lamb(fr)(nl)Someone who is exceptionally calm or gentleLower middle
109 She puts the blue cloak on her husband(fr)(nl)She deceives himLower middle
110 Watch out that a black dog does not come in between(fr)(nl)Mind that things don't go wrongLower middle
111 One winds on the distaff what the other spins(fr)(nl)Both spread gossipLower middle
112 To carry the day out in baskets(fr)(nl)To waste one's time (Compare: "to carry coals to Newcastle" and "to sell sand in the desert")Middle
113 To hold a candle to the Devil(fr)(nl)To flatter and make friends indiscriminatelyMiddle
114 To confess to the Devil(fr)(nl)To reveal secrets to one's enemyMiddle
115 The pig is stabbed through the belly(fr)(nl)A foregone conclusion or what is done can not be undoneMiddle
116 Two dogs over one bone seldom agree(fr)(nl)To argue over a single pointMiddle
117 When two dogs fight out who gets the bone,the third one steals it(fr)(nl)Self-explanatoryMiddle
118 To be a skimming ladle(fr)(nl)To be a parasite or spongerMiddle
119 What is the good of a beautiful plate when there is nothing on it?(fr)(nl)Beauty does not make up for substanceMiddle
120 The Fox and the Stork or The Fox and the Crane dine together(fr)(nl)If you trick someone they might get back at you[note 4]Middle
121 To blow in the ear(fr)(nl)To spread gossipMiddle
122 Chalk up a debt(fr)(nl)To owe someone a favourMiddle
123 The meat on the spit must be basted(fr)(nl)Certain things need constant attentionMiddle
124 There is no turning the spit with him(fr)(nl)He is uncooperativeMiddle
125 To sit on hot coals(fr)(nl)To be impatientMiddle
126 To catch fish without a net(fr)(nl)To profit from the work of othersMiddle

Inspiration for other paintings

This painting has inspired others to depict multiple proverbs in their paintings, also. An illustration from the Hong Kong magazine Passion Times illustrates dozens of Cantonese proverbs.[12][13] The painting Proverbidioms was also inspired by this Dutch painting to depict English proverbs and idioms.

Trivia

The painting is featured on the album cover of Fleet Foxes self-titled first full-length album.

Notes

  1. The condition of the painting makes it almost impossible to make out the dog.
  2. The exact proverb depicted is not known with certainty.
  3. The exact meaning of the proverb is not known.
  4. This proverb derives from Aesop's Fables The Fox and the Crane.

Footnotes

  1. "Pieter Bruegel". APARENCES. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  2. Wisse, Jacob. "Pieter Bruegel the Elder (ca. 1525/30–1569)". Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  3. Rudy, Kathryn M. (2007). "Bruegel's Netherlandish Proverbs and the Borders of a Flemish Book of Hours". In Biemans, Jos; et al. (eds.). Manuscripten en miniaturen: Studies aangeboden aan Anne S. Korteweg bij haar afscheid van de Koninklijke Bibliotheek. Zutphen: Walburg. ISBN 9789057304712.
  4. Erasmus, Desiderius. Adagia (Leiden 1700 ed.). University of Leiden: Department of Dutch language and literature.
  5. O'Kane, Eleanor (1950). "The Proverb: Rabelais and Cervantes". Comparative Literature. 2 (4): 360–369. doi:10.2307/1768392. JSTOR 1768392.
  6. Lebeer, L. (1939–40). "De Blauwe Huyck". Gentsche Bijdragen tot de Kunstgeschiedenis. 6: 161–229.
  7. "Die blau huicke is dit meest ghenaemt / Maer des weerelts abuisen het beter betaempt". Prints. Nicolaas Teeuwisse. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  8. Breughel Enterprises, 2001-2002 exhibition on the work of Pieter Brueghel II's copies after his father's works, Historians of Netherlandish Art review
  9. C. C. Barfoot and Richard Todd, The Great Emporium: the Low Countries as a cultural crossroads in the Renaissance and the eighteenth century (1992), p. 128; Google Books.
  10. Hagen 2000, pp. 36-37.
  11. "Spreekwoorden". Middeleeuwen. Literatuurgeschiedenis.nl. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  12. "熱血時報 - 大粵港諺語 - 阿塗 - 專欄部落". passiontimes.hk.
  13. "Cantonese Proverbs in One Picture". 廣府話小研究Cantonese Resources.

References

  • Hagen, Rainer (2000). Hagen, Rose-Marie (ed.). Bruegel: The Complete Paintings. Taschen. ISBN 3822859915.
  • De Rynck, Patrick (1963). How to Read a Painting: Lessons from the Old Masters. New York: Abrams. ISBN 0810955768.
  • "The Netherlandish Proverbs by Pieter Brueghel the Younger". Fleming Museum, University of Vermont. 2004. Retrieved 18 May 2007.
  • Mieder, Wolfgang (2004). "The Netherlandish Proverbs: An International Symposium on the Pieter Brueg(h)els". University of Vermont.
  • Dundes, Alan and Claudia A. Stibbe (1981). The Art of Mixing Metaphors: A Folkloristic Interpretation of the Netherlandish Proverbs by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Helsinki: Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia Academia Scientiarum Fennica. ISBN 9514104242.

Further reading

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