Pieter Brueghel the elder: Dulle Griet (1563)

(Museum Mayer van den Bergh, Antwerp, Belgium)

A painting by the Flemish artist Pieter Brueghel the elder (1525-1569). The name Dulle Griet or Mad Meg was given to a bad-tempered, shrewish woman. On this painting a woman (= Dulle Griet) is set against a nightmarish landscape. Dulle Griet herself is seen in armour, a sword and with the spoils of war and running towards the mouth of Hell. Behind her is a large group of women who are plundering a house with a group of male soldiers are coming from the right. The landscape itself is populated with grotesque monsters. A large figure behind Dulle Griet is a giant who had a dress and carrying a large boat. The exact meaning of the painting is not clear. There a several references in the painting of the seven deadly sins (Pride, Envy, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth) - Dulle Griet herself probably represents greed. Other figures on the painting refer to several Flemish proverbs. The painting was the subject of a large restorations during which it was cleaned. Painting from 1563.