Winter Scene

A rare scene in Teniers' production, but a traditional Flemish theme popularized in the 16th century by Pieter Brueghel (grandfather to Teniers' first wife), the slaughtering of the pig enlivens this otherwise cold peasant scene. The whole family gathers for the ritual of life and death: the husband sharpens his knife and the wife holds a pan to collect the blood - nothing shall be wasted. Teniers' delicate brushwork and the choice of a warm, earthy palette for the killing scene contrast with the silvery winter tones of the rest of the composition.