Prudence 16th-17th century

Editor: This is Pieter Bruegel the Elder's "Prudence," an engraving. The scene is bustling with activity, and the sheer amount of labor depicted is striking. How does this depiction of work relate to the concept of prudence? Curator: Well, from a materialist perspective, we can see how Bruegel’s Prudence ties into the economic realities of the 16th century. The detailed rendering of labor, from harvesting to preparing food, highlights the means of production necessary for survival. How does the print challenge traditional notions of "high" art by focusing on these everyday activities? Editor: I guess it elevates the ordinary, showing the value and skill involved in work often overlooked. I never thought about prudence in terms of labor before. Curator: Exactly. Bruegel prompts us to consider how prudence isn't just about abstract virtue, but about the very material processes that sustain life.