Peasant Kermis, Pieter van der Borcht (I) (attributed to), 1549
etching, h 194mm × w 259mm More details
Both painted and printed depictions of peasant fairs were popular until well into the 17th century. They are invariably packed with festive activities, including wild dancing, drinking, playing and making love. The consequences of dipsomania too are not omitted, with brawling and vomiting drunkards. This freely etched sheet from 1549, only two impressions of which are known, is one of the earliest examples.
