The Satyr and the Peasant

The subject of this painting - very popular at the period and painted by Jordaens a number of times - is adapted from a fable by the ancient Greek author Aesop. A satyr is curious to know about human ways, and asks a peasant working in the fields why he is blowing on his hands. The peasant explains that he is doing it to warm them. He then invites the satyr to join him for a meal. At the table, the peasant blows on his soup to cool it, and unable to understand how this could be, the satyr departs, full of mistrust.

Jordaens shows us the scene from a little below, as if it were set on a stage. What we see is the moment when the peasant is blowing on the soup to cool it, before raising the spoon to his mouth. With eloquent gestures, the women explain what he is doing, while the demeanour of the satyr, unable to see the difference, expresses all his sceptical distrust. Beneath and between the dramatically accentuated hands, the peasant, at the centre of the composition but taking no part in the discussion, sits savouring his soup. Jordaens here offers us a humorous look at the satyr’s conclusion in the fable, that one should distrust anyone who blows hot and cold with the same breath.