Pomone (Mlle Marguerite Grain) 1923

Jean Dupas concocted ‘Pomone’ in oil on canvas. The painting whispers of many layers, each brushstroke considered, a testament to the toils and joys of creation. The woman’s face, with its blush and elegant red lips, exudes a serene beauty amidst the surreal scene. The paint appears smooth and carefully blended, the colors muted yet striking. The braid wrapped around her head, a crown of artifice, must have taken the artist hours to perfect. I can almost feel Dupas hovering over his canvas, tweaking the curls and ribbons, maybe muttering to himself about the balance between the real and the fantastical. Then, on the side, a bird, an apple, some grapes – things are really starting to escalate! I feel as if I am in conversation with him across time. Dupas is playing with classical allegories, inviting us to question the boundaries between representation and imagination. Painting is all about that push and pull, that lovely, awkward dance.