An allegorical portrait of two children

The artist uses two separate themes in this portrait. The still life, lower left, includes elements common to the vanitas still life, representing the transitory nature of earthly riches and fame. Amongst these symbols, the crown represents temporal authority, the helmet physical prowess, the coffer of coins (and the charter and seal) worldly wealth, whilst the globe is a general reminder of earthly aspirations. The two children are clearly represented as abandoning these unworthy rewards, turning instead to the ideal indicated by the boy, the winged heart of love. On the right hand side of the picture, to which they turn, are represented ideas common to that theme - the prominent rose at the girl's feet, the dog emblematic of fidelity, the fountain of a dolphin, an attribute of Venus, and the statue of Minerva, recalling wisdom, rather than aggression, in love.