Thesis: Since the beginning of the 19th century Europe began to experience rapid changes in culture and society. Many of the effects from the Industrial Revolution paved the way for new industries to be created. Between the creation of The Peasants Dance to when the Sunday Afternoon on the Island of the Grande Jatte was painted you can clearly see the differences in the leisure activities of the times from running around dancing to politely sitting and chatting with a friend. Peasant men and women had jobs filled with hard work whereas the urban dwellers enjoyed having the males work and the women stayed at home taking care of the children and household. From the beginning of the 19th century to the late 19th century many improvements had been made throughout the cities in Europe.
A. The Peasant Dance
a. About the Painting
i. Painted by Pieter Bruegel in 1568 ii. Bruegel was from Flanders and in most of his works he would accurately portray the people that he had observed iii. This painting depicts the kermesse a holiday on the feast day of their local saint, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the Flemish peasantry. iv. This holiday included dancing, drinking and buying various trinkets and such from the booths of different merchants.
v. The peasants in the artwork were painted realistically in order to display their natural atmosphere. vi. He wasn’t trying to create a satire, he wanted to display these peasants as they were after a hard days work.
b. Leisure Activities in The Peasant Dance
i. Gambling ii. Dancing iii. Playing the bagpipe iv. Drinking Alcohol
B. Social Life of Peasants
a. Depended on manual labor in order to provide for their families.
b. 15% of the working classes were known as the labor