The Satyr and the Peasant "Who Blows Hot and Cold"

Steen returned to the satyr and peasant theme in 1661 with this variant, which emphasizes the fable's moral rather than its comedy: the peasant blowing hot and cold cannot be trusted because his nature is inconsistent. The 'who blows hot and cold' subtitle distinguishes this version from the simpler 1655 treatment. By the early 1660s Steen was producing multiple versions of his most successful compositions for a brisk market of middle-class collectors who valued his blend of wit, moral instruction, and accessible narrative.

The composition is comparable to the 1655 version but with subtle variations in figure arrangement and the satyr's positioning. The firelight interior setting remains, with warm amber light modeling the principal figures. Steen's brushwork here is slightly more confident, reflecting his continued development in the early 1660s.