The Drunk and the Pigsty

The title of this painting is The Drunkard Being Pushed into the Pigsty (1557), and as I'm back to my blog - neglected but not forgotten - I decided a Bruegel painting was an appropriate first post for the year. Especially given I ended last year with a visit to the Once in a Lifetime Bruegel exhibition in Vienna, and will shortly be presenting at a Bruegel conference.

The Drunkard Being Pushed into the Pigsty
Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1557)

Why this painting? I saw it for the first time in Vienna - which was exciting. I'd not seen or heard of it before. It's small, painted on a round piece of wood, yet what always draws me into Bruegel's paintings is the idea that he seems to hint at so much more.

It could be associated with the Netherlandish proverb: "Those who, like drunken pigs, waste their time and good in the house of Venus will finally have to be pushed in the pigsty with the other swine."

I like the fact that the pig sleeps on, having no interest in the chaos taking place around him. He is being joined by a man in his underwear (or so I assume), and for a tiny painting there's a lot crammed in. It seems many are eager to punish this drunkard, perhaps that's even his wife in the foreground wearing a red skirt and white apron, given him a good push. 

But is this painting about punishing the drunks' bad behaviour? A moral message perhaps? I can't help wonder if there's something more to Bruegel's message. The people come together as a crowd, to deliver a collective punishment if you like. They seem a rather frightening and intolerant group and we must wonder how many of them have just come from the inn or tavern themselves? And indeed for the drunken sport itself.

The Drunkard and the Pig

Stripped to his underwear

The crowd descends, hands on his back

Intent on teaching a lesson.

Some shout, others laugh, 

they grin and they gawp.

A wife too, she takes the lead

In her skirt of red, is she one to judge?

Perhaps she has tired of the drinking?

So many faces, eager

to deal out the punishment

Now he will join the pig

While it sleeps contented.

Caring not of the man's wicked ways,

She offers company alongside him,

Some feminine warmth against the cold

Outside there is harsh judgement, 
unforgiving of the righteous and the many

Will call out sins, yet
Sin themselves,

Before returning to their beds to sleep.

© the dishonest woman