Vertumnus og Pomona siddende under et træ. 1633 - 1636

Karel van Mander III created this drawing of Vertumnus and Pomona, likely with pen and ink, in the 17th century. Mythological subjects like this were popular in the Dutch Golden Age and often served as vehicles for exploring themes relevant to the time. Here, we see Vertumnus, the god of seasons, disguised as an old woman to woo Pomona, the goddess of fruit trees. The setting, a lush orchard, symbolizes prosperity and fertility, values deeply cherished in Dutch society. Van Mander's choice of this story might reflect the growing merchant class and their aspirations for social mobility, as Vertumnus's disguise allows him to transcend social barriers. Studying the artistic conventions of the time, along with the social and economic history of the Netherlands, helps us understand how art both reflected and shaped the values of its audience. Examining archival documents, such as artist biographies and patronage records, would offer further insight into the artwork's meaning.