This subject is one of the most repeated in Beuckelaer’s work as it was in that of Pieter Aertsen (q.v.) - Christ in the house of Martha and Mary from St. Luke where Mary listened to Jesus’ word while Martha did the serving. When Martha rebuked Jesus he reminded her that Mary was right to listen to him. As in the Aertsen, the picture is essentially a genre piece with the religious subject matter placed in the centre background. Even the composition is dependent on Aertsen, although Beuckelaer subtly changes the emphasis of the still life elements.

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