The bride led into the wedding chamber

This topic has been addressed several times by Flemish artists of the 16th century. The meaning goes back to a Flemish folk saying "Nu schreit zij nog maar ik durf te wedde, zij zal weer lachen als zij is te bedde":  ‘Now she is still crying but I bet, she will laugh again when she is in bed’. The groom escorts his bride to the bedroom, surrounded by all sorts of mocking figures. The bagpipes, candle and pitchers are objects with sexual significance.
Although the theme is distinctly ‘Brueghelian’, it was never treated by Pieter Brueghel the Elder. However, it was popular with his followers such as the Metsys family, Pieter Balten and Maarten van Cleve the elder. Its folksy morality and atmosphere were supposed to put a smile on the viewer's face.
Oil on panel, 90 x 123 cm (35 ³/₈ x 48 ³/₈ inches)