Expressing death between realism and surrealism in Bruegel's painting “Triumph of Death”

Abstract

Art constitutes an essential means of communicating and expressing the artist’s psychological states, concerns, questions, and sense of danger depending on the surrounding natural factors and circumstances. This study delves into the nuanced depiction of death in Pieter Bruegel's renowned painting, "Triumph of Death," exploring the interplay between realism and surrealism. Bruegel masterfully captures the inevitability of death while infusing surrealistic elements that transcend conventional artistic boundaries. Through an analysis of the painting's composition, symbolism, and historical context, this study aims to unravel the complex narrative woven by Bruegel and shed light on the philosophical implications of death as portrayed in his work. Depicting death as something inevitable, much like the unchangeable past time, with an unknown future, art becomes an attempt to pause time, hoping to avoid the uncertain. Aiming at Analyzing the details of real social life in the artist’s era and approaching them with his surreal expressive outlook.

The study uncovered various insights, notably concerning the significance of death in the minds of artists and its impact on their work. Moreover, the study emphasized the pioneering nature of the painter Bruegel, who was ahead of his time by seamlessly blending elements of realism, expressionism, and surrealism in his artistic endeavors.