The Fight between Carnival and Lent

The multitude of scenes which accompany "the fight" are a host of ceremonies or customs linked to the Carnival and Lent, which take place from the feast of the kings (Epiphany) to Easter. In the foreground, two processions, led on the left by the rotund Carnival figure and on the right by the gaunt figure of Lent, are heading for collision in a burlesque and parody joust. With them we see the opposition of feast and famine, winter and spring (the left-hand trees are bare whilst the trees on the right bear leaves), popular celebration and well-ordered charity (ill. 2), the evil tavern and the church, refuge of the pious soul. (Sabine va Sprang in 'The Diary of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium')