Posters

Art, the Bible and Ophthalmology: Pieter Bruegel´s “The Blind Leading the Blind”

Poster Details

First Author: K.Gerstmeyer GERMANY

Co Author(s):    S. Scholtz   P. Pieracci   F. Krogmann   A. Langenbucher   .         

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Pieter Bruegel the Elder is considered as one of the most important artists of his time. His Renaissance painting “The Blind leading the Blind” (1568) is depicting a Biblical parable and leaves a wide field for interpretation even today. Bruegel was a Catholic throughout his life, but apparently had critical humanistic views. He had to hide them very well in his pictures, in fear of the Inquisition.

Setting:

Institute of Experimental Ophthalmology, Saarland University Faculty of Medicine, Homburg/Saar, Germany

Methods:

Selective literature search in books and journal articles via PubMed, Google Scholar and Google.

Results:

The painting shows a procession of six blind men, five of them are presenting a different cause of blindness each. Bruegel´s painting is based on the Biblical parable of the blind leading the blind mentioned twice: At Matthew 15:14 and Luke 6:39. In the New Testament Jesus frequently made a comparison between those who were physically blind and those that were spiritually blind. The “Blind leading the blind” is a scriptural reference indicating that Christians should not act in a way that would lead non-believers astray.

Conclusions:

Even before Bruegel, the biblical parable was used to denounce other denomination. Luther repeatedly calls the Pope “a guide for the blind”. Where does true belief end, where does heresy begin? Pieter Bruegel had his own view of an acute question. His painting refers less to personal misconduct than about the fall of the Christian religion. “The Blind Leading the Blind” can be considered as one of Bruegel´s masterpieces because of its accurate detail and composition. It was inspiration for other painters and writers as well.

Financial Disclosure:

None