Schotel met Cimon en Pero 1601

This tin-glazed earthenware dish depicts the classical tale of Roman Charity. Observe Pero, defying natural order as she nourishes her imprisoned, starving father, Cimon. This motif of filial piety, of life-sustaining love, isn't confined to ancient Rome. We see echoes in diverse cultures: consider the medieval legends of saints nourishing the sick with miraculous milk. The image taps into our collective unconscious, resonating with primal themes of sacrifice and sustenance. It evokes powerful emotional responses as the viewer grapples with love, familial duty, and life itself. The nursing mother—a potent symbol that transcends centuries—appears in Renaissance paintings and even modern advertising. Each iteration layers new meaning onto the original archetypal image of selfless love. Such is the non-linear progression of symbols, ever resurfacing, evolving, and engaging us on a subconscious level.