# Battle between Carnival and Lent

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/molenaer-jan-miense-r7d4e61de79b2cc/battle-between-carnival-and-lent-r4a0a8a474e2629>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [MOLENAER, Jan Miense](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/molenaer-jan-miense-r7d4e61de79b2cc>)
- Date: 1601-1650
- Technique: Oil on wood, 41 x 55 cm

## Commentary

In this painting, Carnival is personified by Dutch peasants who wield a large sausage, skewered birds, a beer tankard, and assorted cooking implements as weapons. Lent is embodied by a mob of clerics, including a monk who swings a bundle of dried codfish. Mock battles between them, symbolizing the struggle between excess and abstinence, often formed part of popular celebrations that heralded the start of Lent.

## Related artworks

- [A Quack and His Assistant](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/molenaer-jan-miense-r7d4e61de79b2cc/a-quack-and-his-assistant-ree4a5e6a17493a>)
- [Allegory of Vanity \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/molenaer-jan-miense-r7d4e61de79b2cc/allegory-of-vanity-detail-r3730878bbb0fcd>)
- [Amorous Couple in an Inn](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/molenaer-jan-miense-r7d4e61de79b2cc/amorous-couple-in-an-inn-r41f5f3fabe0ee3>)
- [Drinking Peasants](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/molenaer-jan-miense-r7d4e61de79b2cc/drinking-peasants-rf1e6c54f76325c>)
- [Interior with a Violinist](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/molenaer-jan-miense-r7d4e61de79b2cc/interior-with-a-violinist-r721c5bd0a45aef>)
- [Interior with Children Drinking and Mischief-Making](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/molenaer-jan-miense-r7d4e61de79b2cc/interior-with-children-drinking-and-mischief-making-rfa0a7943dac1bd>)
- [Painter in His Studio, Painting a Musical Company](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/molenaer-jan-miense-r7d4e61de79b2cc/painter-in-his-studio-painting-a-musical-company-rd3d1a125437401>)
- [Peasant Wedding](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/molenaer-jan-miense-r7d4e61de79b2cc/peasant-wedding-r7e091463496401>)
- [Peasants in an Inn Playing &#34;La Main Chaude&#34;](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/molenaer-jan-miense-r7d4e61de79b2cc/peasants-in-an-inn-playing-la-main-chaude-r7ca7c2f3f9e6c6>)
- [Peasants in an Inn Playing &#34;La Main Chaude&#34;](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/molenaer-jan-miense-r7d4e61de79b2cc/peasants-in-an-inn-playing-la-main-chaude-rcfbff3a60562f1>)
- [Peasants in the Tavern](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/molenaer-jan-miense-r7d4e61de79b2cc/peasants-in-the-tavern-r10c0dc8f328790>)
- [Self-Portrait with Family Members](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/molenaer-jan-miense-r7d4e61de79b2cc/self-portrait-with-family-members-r9229014194be22>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)