Vertumnus and Pomona from a set of Scenes from Operas

Art Historical Context

This magnificent tapestry, *Vertumnus and Pom* from a set of *Scenes from Operas*, produced by the renowned Beauvais manufactory in France between 1758 and 1776. Designed by the Rococo artist François Boucher and likely woven by master André Charlemagne Charron it exemplifies the opulent decorative arts of Louis XV's court. Beauvais, a leading tapestry center rivaling the Gobelins, specialized in vibrant, large-scale wall hangings that adorned aristocratic interiors, blending artistry with luxury. The scene draws from Ovid's myth of Vertumnus, the shape-shifting god of gardens, wooing the nymph Pomona amid lush fruits, flowers, and playful putti—cherubic figures symbolizing love and abundance. Boucher's signature Rococo style shines through in its delicate, swirling compositions, soft pastel silks, and wool threads (21-22 warps per inch) that create a luminous, theatrical depth evoking opera stages. These elements capture 18th-century French fascination with pastoral fantasy and sensual nature. Bequeathed to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1913 by Benjamin Altman, this 10-by-7-foot masterpiece highlights tapestries' role as status symbols, merging mythology, music, and meticulous craftsmanship for immersive storytelling.