Vertumnus and Pomona at The Louvre, Paris

myminifactory

This marble sculpture piece by Jean-Baptiste II Lemoyne, born in Paris 1704 and passed away in Paris 1778, is a classical representation of the mythological tale of Vertumnus and Pomona as depicted in Ovid's Metamorphoses. The story revolves around Pomona, a beautiful yet proud wood-nymph, who resides within her orchard, cultivating its beauty while rejecting all suitors. Vertumnus, either a demigod of seasons or a satyr, is captivated by the nymph's charm but is consistently rebuffed in his attempts to win her heart. The cunning Vertumnus gains access to the orchard disguised as an old man carrying a basket, and through clever storytelling convinces Pomona to seize the day and choose him over her initial hesitation. Once revealed in his true form, Passionately he compares his plight with an elm tree intertwined with vines bearing grapes, arguing that without the nymph's help, the god of orchards cannot bear fruit. His words melt Pomona's heart, and they are united in a romantic relationship. This sculpture by Lemoyne is a tribute to the romantic bond between Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour.