Pieter Bruegel the Elder - Games for children
time of childhood games and toys.
by: Dr. Maria Antonietta Filipponio
games of children (1560)
by Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1525/30 - 1569)
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
How cover for this issue of "Time of the Child", dedicated to games and toys, we have chosen the framework of the Flemish painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder, because it is a unique historical record: the painting is, in fact, defined a "encyclopedia of children's games" . There are in fact represented more than 80 games and pastimes.
The famous work, then, allows us to enter the world of children's ages ago, and to know and understand their play activities, but, surprisingly, we realize to what games and toys are universal and eternal because the same yesterday and today.
The canvas have a lot of children who, almost insane, invades the space of a large square with her toys and entertainment: who chases with circles, those who seek balance on empty barrels, who has fun with balls and bowls . While some advance in single file, mimicking some of ceremonial religious holiday, or a joke or just confusing to tumble, while others practice walking on stilts or astride the mount each other, as the game of leapfrog.
The investigation into the real meaning of the painting has led to disparate interpretations: some critics see as part an allegory of childhood, others an allegory or a satire of the madness of mankind.
The childhood world of 1500 was a world playful, free, and wag, less tied to coercion or prohibition, where young and old mingled together without distinction of age or a strict separation between a play area for children and adults .
The children are shown while playing pall-mall, to ball games, the game of the frog, the game of the candle, jump barrels, to cite a few examples now unknown, but as children of all ages, also enjoy doing exercises: in the company hard and ruthless, designed chiefly to fight and war, games of skill, agility, strength and endurance or pain are part of the preparation, both physical and character of young people.
18/09/2001
Carry this paper, since it corresponds to my thought, giving that artistic touch that never hurts: we live in a society where we tend to divide, separate.
Already at birth, medical tradition has it that the child is removed from the mother, touched by unknown hands, away from the smell of life is that of his mother, from a world of delicate movements, un'infrangersi waves, the puppy is tossed and feel lost, without any reference point. Then he gets home, there awaits him a beautiful bedroom, very cool, separate from the mother tend to be sleeping alone in a cradle made just for him who happens to try to give that feeling of soft comfort that was the mother of Grambo. Sure, but where's Mom?
Then comes the moment of the nest, asylum, school: separate worlds, adults with adults, children with children. Even a simple shopping at the supermarket ..... children at home, mothers of travel shopping.
Maybe you live in our separate houses, one thousand miles apart, each absorbed in their own affairs: even preparing a meal involves removal, separation.
not play anymore, it takes itself too seriously, whatever you do is semrpe ....... losing the vital lifeblood of existence.
do not see more children and adults involved in something together, but that relates to both, apart from the backyard, the kids I see do not know quite what it means to play with a leaf of grass, sand, earth, discover belelzze the nature with a magnifying glass with a microscope.
not know more dirty flour while helping his mother to bake a cake, playing with the salt dough.
video games have really stolen the hearts of our children and we delude ourselves so that our time increases, but instead we are really taking away a great treasure to our children for their future: wonder of what surrounds them, be curious to discover and enjoy the small personal achievements.
........ I am sure that something will change but we must change our women, our mothers let's try ......... ..........
