Merry Peasants

In this picture, a group of men, women and children is seated on benches and stools in front of a farmhouse. A fiddler and a hurdy-gurdy player provide musical entertainment while they drink and smoke. The presence of a booth in the background on the right suggests the occasion for this merry gathering, the kermis or village fair.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 26 minutes): Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 212 (Bauernkantate)