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This painting is one of the original compositions by Pieter Brueghel the Younger, who in most cases based his paintings on the designs of his father. It has three autograph versions. Formerly the panel was attributed to David Vinckboons.
The painting depicts the Flemish celebration of Whitsuntide, which took place the week following Pentecost, or Whitsunday, and commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Christ's disciples. In Flanders, village members would collect Pinksterbloem - the Whitsun flower - and with them adorn a chosen young girl, the Whitsun Bride, along with her young attendants. As is depicted here in a typical Brueghel fashion, the decorated girls are paraded through the village as they sing songs about the Whitsun flowers.
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