Charity, from the series "The Seven Virtues (seated, rectangular)" early 20th century (original from c.1540-1546)

Curator: Here we have a bronze relief titled "Charity," part of the "Seven Virtues" series, made by an anonymous artist. The composition features a mother figure surrounded by children. Editor: My initial impression is one of gentle protectiveness, the way she gathers those little beings close feels very tender. Curator: Absolutely. The artist employs classical motifs, the column and the draped figure lend a sense of timeless virtue. But there's also an implied critique embedded in images of charity. Editor: How so? Curator: Well, who decides who receives charity and who is deemed unworthy? What systems necessitate that such 'virtuous' acts are even necessary? Anonymous's work raises so many questions. Editor: It's almost a meditation on the idea, isn't it? The small scale, that close intimacy… it asks us to consider the deeper, sometimes uncomfortable, implications of giving and receiving.