Homage to Pomona (Allegory of Fruitfulness) 1621 - 1624

Jacob Jordaens created this drawing, Homage to Pomona (Allegory of Fruitfulness), using pen and brown ink, and brown wash on paper. Jordaens, living in 17th-century Antwerp, imbues this image with the sensibilities of his time. The abundance and sensuality speak to the prevailing Baroque aesthetic, but also to a society recovering from religious conflicts and valuing earthly pleasures. Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruitful abundance, is here surrounded by figures that celebrate fertility. Yet, the image is not without its tensions. The male gaze is palpable, particularly in the depiction of the female nude with her back turned. This begs the question, whose fruitfulness is being celebrated and for whose pleasure? This is further complicated by the drawing's medium, it's monochrome palette perhaps hints at the restrained cultural norms that sat beneath the opulent surface of Baroque society. Ultimately, Jordaens' drawing invites us to consider the complexities of life, pleasure, and representation in a time of change.