Artwork
Vertumnus and Pomona
Vertumnus and Pomona is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolaes Maes. It dates from 1673 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.
About this work
Overview
Nicolaes Maes painted *Vertumnus and Pomona* in 1673, a work that belongs to the Dutch Golden Age. Executed in oil on canvas, the composition shows two women seated beside a fireplace, a basket of fruit at their feet, and a warm, subdued illumination. The piece is part of the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The scene references the Roman myth of Pomona, the goddess of fruit trees, and Vertumnus, her shape‑shifting suitor. In the painting the younger woman, dressed in a vivid red gown, appears contemplative, while the older figure, in a brown coat and white headscarf, sits with folded hands. The fruit basket reinforces the agricultural symbolism associated with the myth.
Technique & Style
Maes employs a chiaroscuro effect, using the fire’s glow to model the figures and create a contrast between illuminated surfaces and deep shadows. The handling of light on fabric and flesh reflects his training under Rembrandt, while the restrained palette and careful rendering of domestic details align with his genre‑painting background.
History & Provenance
Born in Dordrecht, Maes first gained reputation for genre scenes before moving to Amsterdam, where he became a leading portraitist. *Vertumnus and Pomona* remained in private hands until it entered the National Gallery of Ireland, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s Dutch Baroque holdings.
Context
The work illustrates the 17th‑century Dutch interest in classical allegory rendered in everyday settings. By placing mythological figures in a modest interior, Maes bridges learned subject matter with the familiar domestic genre scenes that appealed to the era’s middle‑class patrons.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolaes Maes (January 1634 – December 1693; buried 24 December 1693) was a Dutch painter known for his genre scenes, portraits, religious compositions and the occasional still life.
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