The Flemish Renaissance painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder, was famous for his depictions of the every day life of peasants – and this included his famous painting ‘Children’s Games,’ painted in 1560 and depicting over 200 characters participating in 80 different games. One of these is a child who seems to be playing with a balloon. But Lisa, you’re asking, did they even HAVE latex in 16th century Antwerp?
Why, no reader, they did not. So what exactly is this kid blowing up then?
Another balloon can be found in the painting below.
This painting gives us the clue we need to figure out what the heck these kids are playing with.
Behind this child, you’ll see the giant carcass of an animal – a pig to be exact.
And since in ‘olden days’ people used to use EVERY part of the animal, and nobody really knew what to do with the bladder of said animal, the bladder was passed along to the children, who figured out how to blow it up, thus inventing the first balloon! And a very eco-friendly one at that!
I can’t vouch as to the taste and smell of this balloon, and how long it held up, but now you’ll be able to impress anyone next time you’re at an art museum staring at one of these things.
“Ah yes, well let me tell you about this pig’s bladder, also known as Bladder Bagpipes you see…”
Cultural Friday complete!
Have a great weekend everyone!
(These two paintings and more can be found at Vienna’s famous Museum of Fine Arts- a museum NOT to be missed next time you’re in town.)