“Joking Couple”, Self-Portrait of the Artist with his Wife

Here Hans von Aachen has depicted himself with his young wife Regina di Lasso. Besides, the painting offers moral teaching. The slate with chalk marks on it in the right hand corner and the purse in the hand of the man are symbols of the prodigal son who squanders his inheritance in the tavern. In an allusion to the biblical parable, the painter puts himself in this role.