Oil painting on canvas depicting Roman Charity, 17th century

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Antique oil painting on canvas depicting "Roman Charity" with a contemporary carved wooden frame. The scene, set in a prison, depicts a young woman, shown half-length, offering her breasts to an old man, of whom only the head is visible; the woman looks back over her shoulder with an alarmed expression, while with her hands she holds against her breast the head of the man she is suggesting. The subject called "Roman Charity" refers to a legend dating back to the first century AD, recounted in the book "Memorable Acts and Sayings of the Ancient Romans" by the Roman historian Valerius Maximus (first century AD). It tells the exemplary story of Pero, a young woman who, in order to save her father Cimone, imprisoned and condemned to death for starvation, secretly nurses him in prison. Discovered by a guard, her act of generosity so impressed the Roman officials that they granted her father's release. Period: Milan (1620/30) Provenance: Lombardy 17th century. Measurements: 87x116cm. Document: Certificate of Authenticity.

ID: 12351-1646322358-34203