Dulle Griet (Mad Meg)
Dulle Griet, also known as Mad Meg, is a figure of Flemish folklore - a virago, who leads an army of women to pillage Hell. Griet was a disparaging name given to any bad-tempered, shrewish woman. Her mission refers to the Flemish proverb:'She could plunder in front of hell and return unscathed'.
Bruegel is thus making fun of noisy, aggressive women. At the same time he castigates the sin of covetousness: although already burdened down with possessions, Griet and her grotesque companions are prepared to storm the mouth of Hell itself in their search for more
Daniele da Volterra
1540