Bruegel's peasant temptation

From Museo del Prado

Coming across a Bruegel painting I haven't seen before is rather exciting. This is The Wine of Saint Martin's Day. It's a crowded scene, typical of Bruegel, with a theme of gluttony. The hordes clammer up a giant red wine keg at the back of charitable Saint Martin. There is also a pick-pocket stealing - from a woman with two children in the centre front of the painting. Two men are fighting while another couple are dancing. A mother gives her baby a sip of wine. In the bottom right hand corner two men do not appear to be able to handle their alchol - one looks worse for wear while the other appears to lay in his own vomit.

It was discovered by the Prado museum in Spain in 2010 and has now been attributed to Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Given there are only 41 Bruegels surviving in the world today, it was a discovery indeed. It had originally been attributed to his son but after cleaning aspects of the artwork have been identified as characteristic of the father. At 148cm × 270.5cm, it is his largest painting.

It does seem to fit with Bruegel's fascination with peasant life and their leaning towards excesses. He appears to have much to say in this painting about the effects of greed and gluttony. In the bottom right are two cripples who don't appear to be getting any wine. It's definitely a free for all, people trampling over each other to get to the keg. There is a roadside cross but the peasants don't seem to notice. 

Free wine - perhaps the temptation was too much?

Up, down, turn around
Please don't let me hit the ground
Tonight I think I'll walk alone
I'll find my soul as I go home