The painting paints a scene from the famous opera at the time: The Beggar's Opera. In this scene, on trial for a robbery, Captain Macheath stands imprisoned in shackles with his two lovers sprawled on the floor pleading for his life. The two lovers…
To repay her husband's debts, the cobbler's wife must perform sexual favors for the rich merchant. The cobbler interrupts before it begins, and their child sleeps in the crib, oblivious to the events unfolding.