Brueghel here represents the Holy Family’s arrival in Bethlehem as an arrival in Flanders at sunset. Brueghel lived in the Netherlands when, under Spanish rule, it was beset by political revolts, religious inquisitions, and massacres. In fact, Brueghel’s Flanders was very similar to Israel on the first Christmas: Israel, too, was a territory (of Rome) and was the scene of much religious and political division and upheaval. Brueghel depicts Flanders as he saw it, and shows the citizens gathering for the census under the red, rectangular shield of the Spanish rule.
Also notable in Brueghel’s account of the Christmas story is his attention to detail, a trait of the Flemish masters. Interestingly, many gospel symbols appear in the village—probably not because Brueghel intended them, but because the Gospel so well befits common experience. Among others, Brueghel has included wheat, coins, sacrifice, blood, cocks, merchants, children, and paupers.
