The young painter Molkenboer scrutinizes himself through his pince-nez. He is in his Amsterdam studio, with the dining room behind him. A palette and stage mask hang from a cupboard or doorpost on the right. The year 1896 was important for Molkenboer. Although trained as a painter, he had just written and produced his first play. He would eventually unite both passions and work for the theatre as a decorative artist.