The English 'brothel' comes from the French brothel or 'place of prostitution'.

Joachim Beuckelaer was born in Antwerp and possibly learned to paint in the workshop of his uncle; Pieter Aertsen; who had married his aunt. Aertsen was best known for his market and kitchen scenes; genres which Beuckelaer continued to paint when he established himself as an independent master in 1560.