De Romeinse kinderliefde 1725

Bernard Picart crafted this drawing, “Roman Charity,” around 1726. It depicts a scene laden with symbolic weight: an old man, chained and imprisoned, is being nursed by a woman, presumably his daughter. This image is a version of the classical tale of Cimon and Pero, a powerful emblem of filial devotion, where a daughter secretly breastfeeds her incarcerated and starving father. The act transcends mere sustenance; it's a profound statement about the life force, the nurturing power of women, and familial duty. The chains bind more than just Cimon’s body; they represent the constraints of societal norms, challenged by Pero’s defiant act of love. Consider other "lactation scenes" in art history, such as the many depictions of the Virgin Mary breastfeeding the infant Christ, or the Caritas Romana as it appears in different contexts. Note how this act—deeply instinctual—resonates across centuries, echoing themes of sacrifice, nurture, and the subversion of power. This resonates, perhaps, with humanity's primal need for connection, defiance, and the cyclical nature of life and sacrifice.