Public domain
Roman Charity (Caritas romana)
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
This terracotta gives an impression of the first phase of Quellinus’ design process. It is a loosely modelled sketch for the never realized decoration of a water pump in the inner courtyard of the Town Hall. The subject is Pero offering her aged father, Cimon, her breast to keep him alive in prison – an appropriate subject for a pump near the municipal lockup.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionCredit lineCaritas romana (Roman Charity). c. 1651 - c. 1652. Artus Quellinus (I). Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.