Make your own 16th century beekeeper's clothes

[Bees-in-Art]

Pieter Breugel the Elder (1525-1569) made paintings of peasants going about their lives within the landscape. Breugel's candid and descriptive style in his engraving of beekeepers allowed Martin Buckle, master skep maker and beekeeper, to re-construct their protective clothing. For the mask a willow slath from the bottom of a basket is used, whilst calico is used for the suit itself. Martin notes that Breugel's beekeepers aren't wearing gloves, and so doesn’t wear any himself, merely tucking his hands inside the arms of his suit whilst beekeeping.

PM me for link to Martin Buckle's instructions to make your own 16C bee suit.

Andrew

Martin Buckle as a 16C Beekeeper

Beekeeping by Pieter Breugel the Elder (1525-1569)