Vertumnus en Pomona

About this artwork

Vertumnus, de Italiaanse god en beschermer van tuinen en boomgaarden, en Pomona zitten voor het struikgewas. Vertumnus, in de gedaante van een oude vrouw, verleidt Pomona.

Art Historical Context

**Vertumnus en Pomona is a delicate work on paper by Dutch artist Jacob Hoola, created during his lifetime (1723–1789). just 208 mm high by 252 mm wide, this intimate drawing captures a pivotal moment from mythology: the garden god Vertumnus, as an old woman, before lush shrubbery attempting to seduce the nymph Pomona, protector of orchards and fruits. The scene draws from Ovid's *Metamorph*, a tale popularized in European art for its blend of romance, deception, and nature's bounty. Hoolaart's choice of paper as medium suits the era's emphasis on detailed, reproducible sketches and prints, allowing for intricate renderings of foliage and expressive figures in a compact format. This 18th-century depiction reflects the enduring fascination with Greco-Roman myths during the Rococo period, when artists often explored themes of love and transformation amid idyllic gardens, evoking both whimsy and moral intrigue. For visitors, this artwork invites reflection on how ancient stories of pursuit and passion were reimagined in everyday-scale works, bridging classical lore with the refined tastes of Enlightenment-era collectors. A charming glimpse into mythological storytelling through Hoolaart's skilled hand.

About the Artist

Jacob Hoolaart · 1713–1789

Jacob Hoolaart (1713–1789) was a Dutch engraver from Dordrecht whose career spanned much of the eighteenth century, working in the tradition of reproductive engraving that remained vital in the Netherlands long after the Dutch Golden Age. Known also by variant spellings including Hoolaert, Holaert, Holaart, and Holart, Hoolaart created etchings on paper that reproduced works by earlier Dutch and F...