Pieter Bruegel the Elder (c. 1525–1569) was a Netherlandish painter and printmaker best known for his detailed landscapes, peasant scenes, and allegorical works. Born near Breda in the Dutch Republic, Bruegel trained in Antwerp, where he joined the painters’ guild in 1551. He traveled to Italy before settling in Brussels, where he spent the latter part of his career.

Bruegel’s paintings are notable for their vivid depictions of rural life, often infused with social commentary, satire, and moral themes. His best-known works include The Hunters in the Snow (1565), The Peasant Wedding (c. 1567), and The Tower of Babel (c. 1563). He was the father of two artists, Pieter Brueghel the Younger and Jan Brueghel the Elder, who helped preserve and popularize his legacy.