Flamish Proverbs Pieter Brueghel the Younger (1564-1638)

The composition presents a scene steeped in symbolic detail within a circular format. A stout figure dominates the foreground, clad in dark, voluminous garments and a fur-trimmed collar. This individual carries a large basket, its contents obscured by a white cloth, held close to their body. The posture suggests both burden and protection.
The setting is rural; a path leads towards a cluster of buildings, including what appears to be a church tower, indicating a village or small town. A substantial tree looms on the right side of the frame, its trunk providing a visual anchor and contributing to the sense of enclosure within the circular boundary. The landscape behind the figure is rendered with muted tones, creating atmospheric perspective that pushes the background further away.
Several pigs populate the scene. Two are positioned near the figure’s feet, while others scatter coins across the path. These animals, traditionally associated with indulgence and gluttony, appear to be actively collecting scattered objects – in this case, what seem to be silver coins. The interaction between the man and the pigs is central; it suggests a peculiar relationship or exchange.
The scattering of coins introduces an element of disorder and potential folly. They are not neatly arranged but strewn about, implying a lack of control or perhaps even wastefulness. This detail contributes to a sense that something unusual or ironic is occurring. The man’s expression, though difficult to discern precisely, seems neither entirely pleased nor distressed by the situation; it conveys an ambiguous acceptance of the unfolding events.
The overall impression is one of layered meaning and subtle commentary. Its likely that this scene functions as a visual allegory, employing commonplace elements – a person, pigs, coins, a rural landscape – to convey a moral or social message. The specific proverb being illustrated remains open to interpretation, but the combination of these elements suggests themes of wealth, folly, indulgence, and perhaps the consequences of unchecked behavior. The circular format itself reinforces this sense of completeness and self-contained narrative.