SuperRare

🎨 Vertumnus and Pomona, 1638
by Jacob Jordaens 🇧🇪
Oil on canvas. 196 x 266 cm.
National Museum of Ancient Art, Portugal

About the artwork:

In "Vertumnus and Pomona," Jordaens illustrates the mythological story of Vertumnus and Pomona from Ovid's Metamorphoses. Pomona, a nymph and goddess of fruitful abundance in orchards and gardens, is pursued by the god Vertumnus, who is the deity of seasons, change, and plant growth. Jordaens captures the moment when Vertumnus, having disguised himself as an old woman, tries to woo Pomona, who was known for her disinterest in suitors but her dedication to the cultivation of orchards.

Jacob Jordaens' painting of **Pomona and Vertumnus** captures the mythological tale from Ovid's *Metamorphoses*. Pomona, the goddess of orchards and fruitfulness, is depicted being courted by Vertumnus, the god of seasons and growth, who has disguised himself as an old woman to win her affection. Despite her disinterest in love, Pomona's devotion to her gardens is central to the story, while Vertumnus' persistence symbolizes the power of transformation and the changing seasons. Jordaens beautifully illustrates this moment of myth, blending romance, nature, and divine intervention.
9 $HUNT