The painting was inspired by a contemporary Dutch play based on a picaresque novel by Cervantes. It is the story of a nobleman’s love for a beautiful young woman abducted by Romani as a child. We witness the woman’s reaction to the approach of the love-struck youth as she gathers roses, a symbol of love. Before he can win her hand, he must survive several tests. In a surprise twist, his beloved is finally revealed to be a woman of his own high social standing.