Keywords: Jean Pénicaud II - Greek Charity - Walters 4460.jpg The subject known since the last quarter of the 15th century as Greek or Roman Charity is based on a text of Valerius Maximus Factorum et Dictorum Memorabilium Libri IX but refers to an earlier legend which appeared at Rome at the beginning of the 2nd century BC in connection with the construction of a temple dedicated to Pietas Charity The protagonists in the story are Micon and Pero characters known also under the names of Cimon and Pero; according to Sextus Pompeius Festus the grammarian who around AD 150 suggested a Greek origin for the theme Cimon was an Athenian Micon or Cimon who had been condemned to death was visited daily in his cell by his daughter Pero who nursed him from her breast and so prevented him from perishing of starvation Micon wears a turban and a short-sleeved tunic and is represented with his hands fastened together by manacles on a cross-bar Pero is dressed according to the Italian fashion of the early 16th century The popularity of the subject was probably due to its erotic quality The plaque is signed in gilt letters I P followed by a gilt foliate scroll Two gilt lines form a border ca 1545 late Renaissance technique painted enamel copper cm 35 30 5 accession number 44 60 34195 Michel Boy Collection Paris by purchase Michel Boy Collection Sale Hotel Drouot Paris May 15 1905 no 200 Seligmann Brothers Paris 1906 by purchase Henry Walters Baltimore May 1906 by purchase Walters Art Museum Henry Walters Acquired by Henry Walters 1906 place of origin Limoges France Walters Art Museum license Limoges painted enamels in the Walters Art Museum Jean Pénicaud II Media contributed by the Walters Art Museum needs category review Painted enamel art in the Walters Art Museum Cimon and Pero Allegories of charity |