Oil on canvas

The Carità Romana (Roman Charity) formula derives from Roman mythology and relates the story of a devoted daughter, Pero, visiting her incarcerated father, Cimon, and breastfeeding him to prevent starvation – an exemplary tale of filial duty and charity. In Peter Paul Rubens’ c.1612 treatment of the theme, Pero is dressed in a white blouse and red skirt, a colour combination of which Lenkiewicz made frequent use in other paintings for Project 18.