The Story Unfolds
After the great flood, all the people on earth spoke one language. As they settled in a land called Shinar, they began to build a great city with a tower that would reach all the way to the heavens. Their goal was to make a name for themselves and to stay together, united in their own strength and pride. God saw their hubris and knew it would lead them away from Him. To scatter them and humble their pride, He confused their language so they could no longer understand one another. Unable to work together, they abandoned the tower and spread out across the earth.
Story Summary
People try to build a tower to heaven, but God confuses their language.
Masterpiece Showcase
Artwork Details
"The Tower of Babel"
Pieter Bruegel the Elder
1563
Oil on wood panel
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
Curator's Insights
About the Art
Bruegel creates an incredibly detailed scene with over a thousand tiny figures working on the massive structure, modeled after the Roman Colosseum.
About the Artist
Pieter Bruegel the Elder was a master of Northern Renaissance, known for detailed landscapes and scenes of daily life.
Historical Context
The Colosseum model was deliberate - for 16th-century Christians, it symbolized pagan pride and persecution.
Techniques Used:
Symbolism:
- Structurally unsound arches show the project's inevitable failure
- King Nimrod represents misplaced worship
- Tiny workers show human insignificance
Interactive Art Adventure
Look Closer
- Use a magnifying tool to explore - find boats, cranes, people having lunch
- Count how many tiny people you can spot working
- Look for signs that the tower is already starting to crumble
Creative Spark
Build the tallest tower you can using blocks, LEGOs, or pillows. What makes a tower strong? What makes it fall down?