The theme of unequal love between an elderly rich man and a young girl was a common one in the Netherlands in the sixteenth century. Quite often, it can be seen as social comment rather than just as a moral story. In this interpretation of the subject, the scene is rather more eventful than usual, with a banqueting scene in the background in which couples are fondling each other.  An unusual aspect of the picture is the proposal of marriage symbolised by the ring. In most other pictures of this type, the proposition is for sexual favours.  Here the young woman is swayed by considerable wealth, not only by the gold coins and a money bag, but also by a magnificent Renaissance jewel of the type only worn at that time by the very wealthiest.

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