

This woman, engaged in handiwork, ponders a romantic proposition. She looks thoughtfully at the bird presented to her by a hopeful hunter. In the 17th century, βbirdingβ was a euphemism for making love. Hence, the statuette of Cupid, the god of love,
graces the cupboard. Caught between faith and pleasure, she hesitates β her eyes on the fowl, yet reaches for the prayer book on the table.







