Terms and conditions of use
Roman Charity
(c. 1769)
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
76.3 × 63.5 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1932
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
Roman Charity depicts a story told by the Roman historian Valerius Maximus in his Factorum ac dictorum memorabilium libri IX (Nine books of memorable deeds and sayings) of around AD 30. The story involves Cimon, an old man awaiting execution in prison, who was given no food. His daughter Pero visited him, and suckled him at her own breast like a child. Pero’s nourishing of Cimon was considered a sterling example of paying honour to one’s parents.
Artwork Details
Inscription
inscribed (diagonally) in black paint l.c.: i. Zoffanÿ / inv:
Accession Number
4614-3
Department
International Painting
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Frame
Loosely related to Spanish style frames, the current framing of Roman Charity came with the painting in 1932 and is likely to have been made around the time of acquisition.
The painting was cleaned and restored in 2016.
Frame Details
Framemaker
Unknown - 20th century
Materials
gilded composition ornament on a wooden base.