Reinier Adriaansz's Declaration of Love

As a former actor, Troost was fond of scenes taken directly from the stage. So he painted a series of scenes from “Jan Claasz or the Supposed Servant Girl”, a play that was often performed in the early eighteenth century.

The scene in which the awkward Reinier Adriaanz woos Saartje Jans forms the farce’s climax. Struggling to get his words out, Reinier is completely unaware that Saartje Jans is making a fool of him. Although she is firmly turning him down, it is to no avail: Saartje will have to marry the dry old stick anyway.