5 Most Famous Babel Towers in Art

The Tower of Babel, the legendary monument built to reach the heavens, has fascinated artists for centuries. From Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s iconic works to other striking depictions, these paintings bring the famous biblical story to life.

The Tower of Babel is a Near Eastern myth recorded in the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament, which explains the origin of different languages. According to the story, the generations that followed the Great Flood spoke a single language. As they migrated eastward, they settled in the land of Shinar, where they decided to build a city and a tower that would reach the heavens. Displeased by this act of pride, God confused their language so they could no longer understand one another, scattering them across the world.

1 & 2. Peter Breughel the Elder, The Tower of Babel

The Tower of Babel was not a frequent subject in art. The most famous depictions are, of course, those by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. His first version—a miniature on ivory painted during his stay in Rome—is now lost. The other two, which you can see below, remain his most celebrated interpretations of the theme.

Bruegel’s monumental vision did not emerge in isolation—several Netherlandish painters had already explored the subject. In his painting, the tower dominates the landscape, dwarfing the Flemish-style port city below. Bruegel was famous for his meticulous precision and encyclopedic curiosity. He filled the scene with technical and mechanical details: ships unloading building materials in the harbor, workers hauling supplies, cranes lifting heavy loads, and scaffolding surrounding the unfinished brick foundations.

3. Bedford Hours

The Bedford Hours is a late medieval French book of hours, a richly illuminated devotional manuscript. In 1430, the Duke and Duchess of Bedford presented it to their young nephew, Henry VI of England. The artists behind the manuscript remain unknown, but they are collectively referred to as the Bedford Workshop, with the leading illuminator known as the Bedford Master.

4. Lucas van Valckenborch, The Tower of Babel

Lucas van Valckenborch was a Flemish painter best known for his landscapes, though he also created portraits, allegories, and lively market scenes. Court painter to Archduke Matthias, the governor of the Spanish Netherlands in Brussels, he later migrated to Austria and then Germany, joining members of his extended family of artists who had moved there for religious reasons.

5. Hendrick van Cleve, The Building of the Tower of Babel

Hendrick III traveled to Italy in his youth and returned to his homeland as a skilled landscape painter. His works are noted for their delicate touch and harmonious use of color. Hendrick van Cleve was also active as an engraver.

Bonus: Fat Cat Art!

Fat Cat Art is a project of Svetlana Petrova who uses her cat, Zarathustra, and pastes him into famous classic artworks. Here you will find more info about them.

P.S. You can get high-quality print of Peter Brueghel’s The Tower of Babel in our online shop!