Frans Wouters (Lier 1612-1659 Antwerp), Vertumnus and Pomona

112 × 136 cm
Oil on canvas
Expert opinion: dr Klaus Ertz

Frans Wouters was a pupil of Peter Paul Rubens. From 1636 to 1637 he was at the court of Emperor Ferdinand II, then from 1637 to 1641 he became court painter to the Prince of Wales. He mainly painted landscapes with scenes from ancient mythology. The story presented here is told by Ovid in Metamorphoses (14, 623-696). Pomona, the goddess of fruit trees and gardening, did not want to marry and did not allow any man into her garden. The god Vertumnus therefore transformed himself into an old woman to persuade Pomona to marry a man and recommend Vertumnus to her. After he convinces Pomona, he transforms back into his true form. Pomona is seated in red robes under two trees to right. She holds a sickle in her left hand and placed her right on the shoulder of the old woman, the transformed Vertumnus. The old woman occupies an unusual position on the ground for her age, as Vertumnus, despite the transformation, cannot hide his desire. He had already placed his hand on Pomona's leg. Pomona looks at him touched, he looks at her lovingly. Amor leaves the scene and looks around. He did his job successfully. Dark trees tower are behind Pomona. The two trunks are intertwined around each other to indicate the connection between Vertumn and Pomona. On the left, Pomona's garden stretches under the Baroque palace. This theme was very popular in the 17th century