Van Heemskerck studied in the studio of Jan van Scorel under whose guidance he developed a fine style and an impressive reputation in his own right. It has been said that this popularity drove a rift between the two artists and that Scorel eventually dismissed van Heemskerck from his studio. In 1532 van Heemskerck left Haarlem to work in Italy where he studied the Renaissance masters, taking a particular interest in the art of Michelangelo. In 1535 he returned to his native country where he continued to paint in the Italian style. The elegant jewellery depicted in this painting is a fine example of a Renaissance goldsmith’s work. The subject of the painting is a personification of a verse from St Matthew's Gospel (10:16) 'Be ye, therefore, wise as serpents and harmless as doves'. Subjects like these were painted for public buildings, such as courts, as a reminder of standards expected from people in high office.