A young maid offers plucked poultry to a seated young man, while the figure of a boy behind them indulges in his food. The inference is that these three figures indulge in earthly pleasures, symbolised by the details of the fish, game, meat, vegetables, bread, wine flagon and dairy produce, all painted with meticulous finish. In the adjacent room in the background is the figure of Christ breaking the bread with two disciples. The viewer is reminded of The Last Supper, as well as the transience of earthly pleasures.

Provenance

Bacon Family, probably Sir Nathaniel Bacon, Culford; by family descent to Gillingham Hall, Norfolk; by descent to R Bramley.