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, ‘birding’ 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 – her eyes on the fowl, yet reaches for the prayer book on the table.