# A Young Man Caresses an Old Woman [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [HOEFNAGEL, Jacob]() - Date: 1601-1650 - Technique: Pen, washed, brownish paper, 310 x 290 mm ## Commentary This drawing is an allegory of the "ill-suited couple", in which old men as well as old women covet young members of the opposite sex. The original source of the drawing is Leonardo. In a sudden moment of insincere fondness, a young man nuzzles an emaciated, toothless old woman. With his right hand, he brings the woman's head to him, while the left reaches for the actual object of his desire - a tightly filled purse. While she happily allows the young man to embrace her, the gaunt figure demonstratively delays the young man with a ring as remuneration, which accentuates the pecuniary nature of the seduction. The border decoration, which catches the eye with its ornate composition, was possibly intended as a collector's mark. ## Related artworks - [Allegory of the Humanist Virtue]() - [Apelles Painting Campaspe in the Presence of Alexander]() - [Several insects]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()