Studio of Marten van Cleve I Antwerp circa 1527 - before 24 November 1581

The composition is known in other versions and, like them, probably formed part of a cycle of six pictures depicting stages in the celebration of a peasant marriage.  The first represents the Wedding Procession, while this is the penultimate subject.  The final one, perhaps taking a degree of chronological licence, is the Birth of the Child.  A set of six much smaller pictures on panel depicting the entire cycle was sold in Paris, Drouot, 17 March 1989, lot 25 (as by Maerten van Cleve).