Cimon and Pero (Roman Charity) 1670 - 1750

Adriaen van der Werff painted this oil on canvas depicting 'Cimon and Pero' in the late 17th or early 18th century, a period marked by significant social stratification and evolving notions of charity. The painting illustrates a scene from Roman history, where Pero secretly breastfeeds her imprisoned and starving father, Cimon. This act of Roman Charity, as it’s known, carries complex meanings. On the one hand, it celebrates familial duty and self-sacrifice. Yet, it also subtly questions the social order by highlighting the failure of the state to provide for its citizens. The choice of this subject reflects the cultural values of the time and served as a commentary on social responsibility and the role of women within the family. To fully understand this work, historians explore period literature, social commentaries, and institutional records related to welfare and imprisonment, thereby revealing the painting’s nuanced engagement with the social fabric of its time. In the end, such artworks show us that artistic meaning is always inextricably linked to its historical moment.