The Fête champêtre 1627
by Dirck Hals
The 17th-century public would have delighted in this amusing spectacle. At the same time, viewers would have been aware of its hidden message: there is more to life on earth than eating, drinking and merrymaking.
A telling detail is the chained monkey: it stands for sinful man, who allows himself to be fettered by his base instincts.
- Credit:
- Courtesy of Rijksmuseum
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