# The Hunter’s Present

- By: Gabriël Metsu (Leiden, 1629–1667)
- Date: c. 1658 - c. 1661
- Medium: canvas, oil paint (paint)
- Classification: painting
- Dimensions: height 51 cm x width 48 cm
- Credit line: On loan from the City of Amsterdam (A. van der Hoop Bequest)
- Museum: [Rijksmuseum](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/SK-C-177--969315eaa0c9c9f62545e96bd274eb7d)
- Rights: [Public Domain Mark](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
- Picture: https://iiif.micr.io/oNAEw/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Teens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

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.