The Proposition: figures in an interior

When Dr. Waagen visited Hadzor House in 1850, he described this picture as 'The Wooing', "Of very animated motives, and painted in an harmonious but subdued tone". Indeed, the theme of elder men trying to gain the love of a young woman; their wealth in return, was immensely popular in 17th Century Dutch art and literature. The other motive of this painting, that of the Procuress, the matchmaker, enjoyed similar liking. Here the girl is faced with the choice between the young musician, provocatively showing her his flute, and the rich old man, who, with the help of the matchmaker, is offering her his fortune, and perhaps even marriage in the form of the document he is holding in his left hand. This painting is a beautiful example of Steen's mastery of telling a story in a single image.