This painting of a young woman breastfeeding an old man in a prison cell was sold for Euros 30 million. The painting may look perverse but the story behind is from historical records.
The poor man was sentenced to “death by starvation” for stealing a loaf of bread during the reign of Louis XIV in France. The woman was his only daughter and the only visitor to his cell. She was allowed to visit him daily but was frisked thoroughly such that no food was taken in.
When after 4 months the man still survived with no weight loss, the authorities were perplexed and started spying on her in the cell and to their utter astonishment found her to breastfeed her father to the fullest sharing her baby’s milk. The judges then realizing the compassion and love of the woman for her father, pardoned the father and set him free.
A great lesson that you can do the very best to save those that raised you up to save them at their time of need. A timeless teachings and vivid lesson of selfless and sacrificial love.Giving our lives for those whom we love.
Cimon and Pero, also known as Roman Charity (Latin Caritas Romana; Italian Carità Romana) – one of the most popular subjects in the seventeenth and eighteenth-century Italian and Flemish painting. The scene portrays Pero feeding her starving father Cimon in prison. It is taken from the ancient Roman historian Valerius Maximus’s Memorable Factorum ac dictorum memorabilium (Nine Books of Memorable Acts and Sayings of the Ancient Romans), that presents Pero’s selfless devotion as the highest example of honouring one’s parent.
Roman Charity: The Heartbreaking Tale Behind the Viral Painting
Imagine a painting fetching €30 million at auction—a young woman breastfeeding an elderly man in a dank prison cell. It might seem shocking at first glance, but the story it tells is one of profound love and sacrifice, rooted in an ancient legend that’s captivated hearts for centuries. Recently viral on social media, this tale blends history, art, and a powerful message about compassion. Let’s explore the truth behind this striking image.
The Viral Story Unraveled
The narrative sweeping platforms like Reddit and Facebook goes like this: In 17th-century France, under Louis XIV’s reign, a desperate man steals a loaf of bread to feed his starving family and is sentenced to die by starvation in a grim cell. His only daughter, a new mother, pleads to visit daily. Guards search her thoroughly to prevent food from entering. After four months, the father remains alive, defying all odds. Spying reveals her secret—she’s been breastfeeding him, sharing her baby’s milk. Touched by her devotion, the judges pardon him, setting him free. The painting immortalizes this act, selling for a staggering €30 million.
It’s a story that stirs deep emotions, highlighting a daughter’s fierce love and the injustice of a harsh world. But the details stretch beyond a single historical event.
The Ancient Roots of Roman Charity
This tale isn’t from Louis XIV’s France—it’s an ancient Roman legend known as Roman Charity (Caritas Romana), recorded by historian Valerius Maximus around 1st century AD. In the original, a man named Cimon is imprisoned for a serious crime and sentenced to starve. His daughter, Pero, a lactating young woman, gains permission to visit but is searched to ensure no food passes through. She secretly breastfeeds him, sustaining his life for months. Guards, baffled by his survival, catch her in the act. Moved by her selflessness, they free both father and daughter.
Key differences emerge:
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Setting: Ancient Rome, not 17th-century France. The Louis XIV twist is a modern addition, perhaps inspired by France’s bread riots.
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Crime: Not petty theft, but an unspecified offense—later retellings added the bread angle for drama.
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Details: The four-month survival and baby’s milk are embellishments; the focus was Pero’s pure devotion.
This exemplum (moral tale) celebrated pietas—filial duty—and resurfaced in the Renaissance as a Baroque art theme, symbolizing charity amid hardship.
The Art That Captures the Moment
This isn’t one painting but a recurring motif, with famous versions by artists like Peter Paul Rubens (Cimon and Pero, c. 1612–1615) and Guercino (Roman Charity, c. 1620s). The viral image—often an anonymous Baroque work—shows a shadowy cell, stark light illuminating the act. While Rubens’ piece hangs in the Hermitage Museum, and others grace private collections, no specific €30 million sale is confirmed by auction records. The figure might be hype, boosting the story’s shareability, though a Rubens could approach that value.
From frescoes to sculptures, this scene has inspired art for centuries, even echoing in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath.
A Lesson in Compassion
At its core, Roman Charity showcases caritas—selfless love that defies norms. In a world of rigid justice, it humanizes the condemned and elevates a woman’s nurturing role, often overlooked by men or society. The viral version’s bread-theft twist critiques inequality, while the original highlights survival’s raw power. Yet, the image’s sensual undertones—common in Baroque art—can feel jarring today.
This story reminds us that compassion can pardon the unpardonable. Whether set in Rome or imagined in France, it’s a timeless testament to love’s depth.
Have you seen this painting or heard this tale? Share your thoughts, or let me know if you’d like to explore more art or history behind it!
