Roman Charity
17th century
Medium
Painting
Classification
Painting
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Peter Powers in memory of H. Lester Cook
Accession Number
1978.64
Tags
Art Historical Context
"Roman Charity" captures a poignant moment from ancient Roman legend, showing the imprisoned Cimon being sustained by his devoted daughter Pero. This dramatic figure group highlights the theme of charity through an act of profound self-sacrifice and familial love, a story that resonated across centuries as a moral exemplar of filial piety. Created by an unidentified Italian artist in the 17th century, the painting reflects the era’s interest in emotional, narrative-driven scenes drawn from classical antiquity. Such works often served to inspire viewers with timeless virtues, blending storytel...
About the Artist
Unidentified (Italian)
The designation "Italian" in art collections typically refers to an anonymous artist or a loose attribution to works from Italian schools, rather than a specific individual. With 173 known artworks in the museum's collection, this entry likely encompasses paintings by unidentified masters active across various periods, such as the Renaissance, Baroque, or later eras. Early life and personal detail...