The present composition is indebted to Massys' lost original after which at least eight direct copies are known (see L. Silver, The Paintings of Quinten Massys with Catalogue Raisonné, 1984, pp. 213-4, no. 19). The numerous copies of that painting attest to the popularity of the subject matter which was taken from a lost van Eyck panel of 1440. A version of the present painting was offered at Sotheby's, London, Dec. 6, 1989, lot 122.