In Luxury, Beware (detail)

It is true that the depiction contains scores of references to the “dissolute household”, a motif that Steen embroidered on countless paintings, yet quite correctly the picture once was called a proverb painting. In this detail, the young man casts roses at the pig, and Steen is thus referring to the proverb “Strooit geen rozen voor de varkens” (literally: Do not spread roses before pigs [i.e. To cast pearls before swine]), generally used to connote the offering of something valuable to somewhat who is not cultured enough to appreciate it.