 |
| From Alte Pinakothek, Munich |
I prefer the Dutch name for this painting by Pieter Bruegel the Elder - 'Het Luilekkerland' or
translated the lazy luscious land - lui meaning lazy and lekker meaning delicious. Seems to convey much more than the
English name of 'Land of Cockaigne'. Although in medieval times
Cockaigne was the mythical land of plenty, so it is indeed apt.
This painting typifies, for me at least, what is intriguing about Bruegel - for example, how he uses humour to raise strong moral questions.
The
arrogance of humankind - an egg comes ready with a spoon, a pig is roasted and even provides the knife to eat him with, seemingly it's sole
purpose of existence. The fowl places her neck upon the plate.A knight sits under a roof covered in pies. He has his mouth open, waiting for a roasted pigeon to fly in (apparently removed by accident during restoration work).
Behind the three men (a clerk, peasant and soldier) all lost to their gluttony and laziness, is a fence made of sausages. To the right is what looks like a cactus plant, but is it made of pancakes?
How relevant Bruegel's message remains today as mankind continues to abuse it's precious home with such little regard, no concern for the future. We continue to talk and talk over climate change but talk is not commitment; debate the so called benefits of fracking (banned in other countries but under consideration in the UK); a growing culture to consume and discard.
A land of milk and honey, but for how long?
