Market Peasants

Pieter Aertsen’s nephew and pupil, Joachim Beuckelaer, also painted market scenes. However, his work often lacks the subtleties and juxtapositions of his uncle’s work. In the present example, there is no biblical narrative in the background. The presentation of uninhibited human sexuality is much more overt. The two-pouched purse between the man’s legs is easily associated with the male genitals. The prominent presence of birds, eggs, and the large empty basket carry overt sexual allusions.