Caritas Romana - Charles David

A detailed seventeenth-century etching depicting the classical Roman Charity narrative, rendered with precise cross-hatching and dramatic light.

This etching by Charles David depicts the classical subject of Caritas Romana, or Roman Charity. The narrative concerns Pero, who secretly breastfeeds her elderly father, Cimon, after he is sentenced to death by starvation in prison. The composition draws inspiration from a painting by Simon Vouet, as indicated by the inscription at the base of the print. David employs precise cross-hatching techniques to model the figures, creating a sense of volume and dramatic light contrast typical of the seventeenth-century Baroque style.

The print focuses on the emotional exchange between the two figures. Pero is shown with a gaze directed away from her father, her expression conveying a mixture of vigilance and devotion. Cimon is positioned in the lower left, his head resting against her, rendered with careful attention to the texture of his hair and beard. The background is composed of dense, uniform hatching, which pushes the figures forward and creates a shallow, stage-like space. The Latin inscription at the bottom provides a moralising context for the scene, framing the act as a duty of filial piety.

Charles David was a French printmaker active in the early seventeenth century. His work often involved the reproduction of compositions by contemporary painters, a common practice for disseminating visual ideas during this period. This particular print demonstrates his technical proficiency in translating the tonal qualities of oil painting into the linear medium of engraving. The work remains a clear example of how classical themes were reinterpreted through the lens of Baroque sentimentality and technical rigour. The print is held in several institutional collections, including the Rijksmuseum, where it is catalogued as part of their extensive collection of historical prints.