This class explored the emergence of the art market in the Low Countries. Increased competition and the freedoms an artist had when not bound to a contract led to the need to specialize or improve their work. The artist’s name became important, tied to their creations, and widely known. Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s paintings, for example, depict tales and sayings with strong morals. His Fall of Icarus conveys the message of that myth by embedding it into a much larger landscape scene, thereby enhancing its moral significance. Netherlandish Proverbs similarly represents common sayings embedded in everyday life. This painting would make a great conversation piece for anyone familiar with those proverbs, mostly for comedic value. This is very different from the works we examined at the beginning of the term. I found it interesting how series became extremely popular at this time. It makes sense on reflection that purchasing a series could decorate an entire room with a theme, but I hadn’t thought of that previously. For example, Bruegel the Elder’s seasons series of four paintings fit together very well. Finally, the reference to van Eyck in Massys’ Money Changer and his Wife was interesting because it shows a deference to and recognition of van Eyck’s influence on other artists.