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Beate Gütschow Reflects on Pieter Bruegel the Elder's Engraving 'Spes (Hope)' in Basel Exhibition

opinion-review · 2026-04-10

Artist Beate Gütschow examines Pieter Bruegel the Elder's engraving 'Spes (Hope)', part of the series 'Seven Virtues and Seven Deadly Sins', which depicts a female figure demonstrating hope and action amid a flood disaster. Gütschow encountered the work in Basel during a stopover, where she visited the exhibition 'Pieter Bruegel d. Ä.: Kupferstiche und Radierungen'. She notes the image's startling relevance to contemporary times. The exhibition features Bruegel's engravings and etchings, highlighting this 16th-century cycle. Gütschow's engagement with the piece underscores its enduring thematic power. The article appears on Monopol Magazin's website, which is promoting a free trial of Monopol Plus for one month, with subscription details provided.

Key facts

  • Beate Gütschow discusses Pieter Bruegel the Elder's engraving 'Spes (Hope)'
  • The engraving is from the series 'Seven Virtues and Seven Deadly Sins'
  • Gütschow saw the work in Basel at an exhibition titled 'Pieter Bruegel d. Ä.: Kupferstiche und Radierungen'
  • The image shows a female figure in a flood disaster, linking hope and action
  • Gütschow finds the engraving reflects contemporary reality
  • The exhibition features Bruegel's engravings and etchings
  • Monopol Magazin is offering a free trial of Monopol Plus for one month
  • The article is published on Monopol Magazin's website

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Monopol Magazin

Locations

  • Basel
  • Switzerland

Sources