Eckersberg painted the two daughters in two different poses but made them appear strikingly similar, like two variations on a theme.

The parrot in the cage may symbolize the longing of the daughters to move from a sheltered home and out into real life.

The merchant Mendel Levin Nathanson, who had supported him early in his career, also ordered two paintings from him.

He campaigned for equal rights for the Jews, but also gave a significant portion of his wealth to charity for the poor part of the Jewish population.

Thus, although Nathanson remained true to his faith throughout his life, his children, with his consent, converted to Christianity.