This picture belongs to the last phase of Jan Steen’s varied career. In these later pictures his palette became much more monochrome, utilising greys and browns. As in so many of his pictures he was a passionate observer of low-life. His peasants are usually enjoying themselves, here there seems to be an excess of food and drink. The figure on the right is emptying a large flute, while on the table there sits an enormous ham. The large lady in the centre with her many chins brings a pitcher of something more to drink. The figure on the left holding a paper and a pipe strongly resembles the artist himself. While not specifically a self-portrait, Jan Steen often introduced figures into his pictures, with features very similar to those of his own.

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