As pointed out by Maier-Preusker (loc.cit.), the present lot is the last recorded genre scene by the artist painted after he had settled in Cologne circa 1656. In this late phase, five other works are recorded: 'Susannah and the Elders' of 1656; 'Joseph and Potiphar's Wife' of 1657; A 'Drunken soldier with Courtisan and Procuress' of the same year and two portraits of children of 1658. Except for these last three Couwenbergh must have been inspired by Flemish sources, especially by Rubens. In the present lot, the face of the sportsman is still reminiscent of the work of Honthorst, whereas the maid is closer to the type depicted by Jordaens and the still life is reminiscent of the work of Adriaen van Utrecht. As pointed out by Van Gelder (loc.cit.), the artist came into contact with contemporary Flemish art through his participation in the final stages of the decoration of the Oranjezaal in The Hague.

See colour illustration