The attribution was first suggested by Professor Federico Zeri (oral communication) and by Professor Nicole Dacos (written communication), who intends to publish the painting in a forthcoming study of the artist. Professor Dacos dates the painting to Janssens' period in Rome, 1598-1601, and believes it to be the earliest known work by the artist. It would thereby predate the earliest known signed and dated work, the Diana and Callisto, 1601, Szépmüvészeti Museum, Budapest.

Dr Joost Vander Auwera believes, however, that the picture was painted during Janssens' stay in Antwerp, and should be dated to circa 1625. He associates it stylistically with the Venus and Adonis (painted with Wildens), Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, and the Sine Baccho et Cerere friget Venus, Brukenthal Museum, Sibiu (written communication, 25 May 1992).