Peter Paul RubensFlemish, 1577–1640Roman Charity
May one see it?
Yes, receiving visitors
State Hermitage Museum
Room247Saint Petersburg, Russia
On public display.
- Checked
- 29 Aug 2026
- In this state since
- Aug 30, 2026
- Source
- The museum's own collection data
About the painting
Roman Charity is an oil on canvas painting by Peter Paul Rubens, executed c. 1612, now in the Hermitage Museum, in Saint Petersburg, for which it was bought from Koblenz's collection in Brussels in 1768. In 1828 D. A. Smitha of the Hermitage misattributed it as a copy. Later researchers agreed in 1864 and the work was placed in store until 1905, when a re-examination restored its autograph status.
It shows the subject Roman Charity, which Rubens also returned to in Cimon and Pero (1630, Rijksmuseum). The work appeared in the posthumous inventory of Rubens' works as Daughter Breastfeeding her Father in a Dungeon. It was sold to an unknown collector before coming into the possession of Carolus van den Bosch, Bishop of Bruges.
Particulars
- Accession number
- ГЭ-470
In the catalog
Sources
- State Hermitage Museum: the museum's own open data · fetched 29 Aug 2026
- Image: State Hermitage Museum — Museum open access
Meanwhile, in the life of Peter Paul Rubens
The whole life9 January 1610
Court Painter to the Archducal Couple
After being presented at court in August 1609, Rubens received his patent as court painter to Archduke Albert and the Infanta Isabella; at the same time he secured the right to remain working in Antwerp rather than Brussels, and to be paid a fee for each painting.
1611
Daughter born: Clara Serena Rubens
January 1611
Purchase of Land and Construction of a House and Studio
Rubens acquired a large plot on the Wapper and built a mansion for 10,000 florins with a studio and a gallery for his collection; the fitting-out lasted until 1616, and contemporaries called the house the most beautiful in the city.
5 June 1614
Son born: Albert Rubens
