CAPITAL VIRTUE 3BIS : CARITAS II
“ALLEGORY OF ROMAN CHARITY (CHARITY OF THE POOR)”
#Caritas@FA

Charity or Generosity, also known as "Caritas" in Latin, is a capital virtue that involves the willingness to give without expecting anything in return. It is the act of giving freely and willingly, out of a desire to help others, without any thought of personal gain or reward. Generosity is not just about giving money or material possessions, but it can also involve giving one's time, attention, and emotional support to others. It is an expression of kindness, compassion, and love towards others, regardless of their social status, background, or personal circumstances.

The story of Pero and Cimon is an ancient Roman tale of filial piety and self-sacrifice.
It tells how Pero secretly breastfed her father Cimon, who was imprisoned and condemned to die of hunger. The story was recorded by the historian Valerius Maximus in his book of memorable deeds and sayings. It was also depicted in many artworks, especially in the Baroque period, under the title of "Roman Charity". Some examples of these artworks are: Cimon and Pero (c.1625) by Peter Paul Rubens
Roman Charity: Cimon and Pero (c.1801–1806) by Carlo Cignani Cimon and Pero (c. 1655 - c. 1657) by Willem Drost
The story of Pero and Cimon is considered a symbol of the virtue of caritas, or love for one’s family and humanity.

In the composition we see a contemporary version of the Cimon and Pero.

The father has wasted his money and is involved in many fraudulous practices. Due to legal problems with landlords and tax collectors, the father finally landed in prison, and was mentally and physically starving to death.
The daughter however - even in these very difficult circumstances - maintains her grace and keeps soothing the mental and physical degradation of the father.

This story is not about the father, it is about the generosity, grace and humility of the daughter, who tries to preserve what is left of the physical and mental integrity of the father.
But even here, the father - in all his hubris - might object and claim he is the center of the story.
Quod erat demonstrandum (what was to be proven - in Latin).
Disclaimer: Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The events depicted in this work of fiction are entirely fictitious and should not be construed as fact. This work is solely the product of the author's imagination and is not intended to represent any actual occurrences or events.

With the words of Pieter Breughel de Oude :
Old Dutch: "Die liefde heeft, die en heeft gheen hoochmoet, die en begheert niet, die en wort niet vertoornt, die en peyst niet quaets, die en verblijdt hem niet in onrechtveerdicheyt, maer die verblijdt hem in de waerheyt, al dat onrechtveerdich is haet die."
English: "Charity is not puffed up, is not ambitious, does not seek what is its own, is not provoked, does not think evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth, hates all that is evil."
For more information : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BZbodklWa7Q_k1cwv1Efjs9c-aRD_88r/view?usp=drive_link