Cimon en Pero 1638 - 1669

Jean Pesne created this print, Cimon en Pero, sometime in the 17th century. It depicts a classical scene of a daughter, Pero, breastfeeding her imprisoned father, Cimon, who has been sentenced to death by starvation. This image, made in France, circulates the Roman tale exemplifying ‘Roman Charity’. It’s a striking composition that speaks to core social values around family and sacrifice. What does it say about the social role of women in particular? Pero’s act challenges the social codes. Her nurturing goes against the judgement of the state. To really understand this print, it helps to dig into the context of 17th-century France and the prevailing views on morality, family, and the role of women. What does the institutional setting tell us about the artist’s view of the world? Through archival research we can start to understand how art shapes, reflects, and sometimes even challenges the norms of its time.