19. Peter Brugel
Was the disciple of Peter Cock, a great observer of the Acti∣ons of Boors and Peasants and very happy in imitating them with his Pencil. In Italy he drew a prospect of the affrightful Alpes, the Torrents, and dismal Precipices there, which was of good use to him in Painting our Saviours Temptation in the Wilderness, where he livelily represents the craggy rocks, and steep Mountains, how some of them hide, as it were, in∣sensibly, their rops in the Clouds, and foggy mists that surround them. His Tower of Babell is a piece much esteemed, as also St. Pauls Conversion, and the Massacre of the Innocents, which he has represented with all the Cruelties of a bloody Tragedy. But his chiefest Excellency, was in Painting Countrey Feasts, and the debaucheries of the Boors. He flourished in the year 1565 and died at Brussels 1570 A person more grave in his dis∣course and actions, then in his works, for what Piece soever he made, though of seriousness and devotion, he could not refrain mingling some facetious humour or other with it, which was the common Mark whereby his pieces were known.