It was painted in 1663 and is now a part of the Royal Collection, having been acquired by King George IV in 1821.

The composition depicts a partly undressed woman, seated on her bed and putting on a stocking.

The arch in the foreground "represents moral probity emphasised by the symbolism of the sunflower (constancy), the grapevines (domestic virtue) and the weeping cherub (chastised profane love)".

[1] In contrast, the room beyond the arch is the domain of vanity and profane love, symbolized by a skull, an extinguished candle, and a lute with a broken string.

[1] The painting is full of sexual innuendo, some of it based on word play.