Cimon and Pero 1626 - 1636

Willem Panneels created this print, Cimon and Pero, sometime in the early 17th century. The image depicts a woman breastfeeding a chained, bearded man in a prison cell. This is an illustration of a story from Roman history, valorizing filial piety and challenging the social norms of the time. Cimon was condemned to death by starvation. His daughter, Pero, secretly visited him in prison and kept him alive by breastfeeding him. This act of defiance and compassion moved the authorities, and Cimon was eventually freed. Made in the Netherlands, this print reflects the cultural and artistic values of the Baroque period, where the intense emotion and dramatic narratives of the Counter-Reformation found fertile ground. The image asks questions about social structures, justice, and the role of women in society. By researching the print's cultural context, the imagery and symbolism become clearer. We see the important role that art can play in prompting us to reflect critically on prevailing social conditions.