Anne Varice de Vallière als Pomona 1694 - 1738

Curator: Here we have an engraving dating, quite broadly, from between 1694 and 1738, which means it exists within a timeframe dominated by Louis XIV and its immediate aftermath. Its creator is Michel Dossier. It's titled "Anne Varice de Vallière als Pomona." Editor: It strikes me as surprisingly domestic, given the theatrical title. A woman sits in what seems like a garden, rather passively. The overall tone is quite subdued, not what I'd immediately associate with Baroque. Curator: True, the composition contains both portrait and genre elements. The female figure is rendered as the Roman goddess Pomona, but within what seems to be an ordinary contemporary setting, suggesting a link between aristocratic life and mythological grandeur. This wasn't uncommon; allegory functioned to elevate the sitter. Editor: That’s fascinating! So, Madame de Vallière, perhaps a royal mistress? The garden and the aging, possibly lecherous-looking figure to the side–likely representing Vertumnus–feel symbolic of both luxury and vulnerability. Does the imagery suggest anything about courtly love and its inherent precarity? Curator: I think you are right to pinpoint that dichotomy; it speaks to the wider anxieties of status, reputation and appearance at the time. These portraits were, after all, intensely political objects which not only showcased one’s position but made a statement. Also, prints like these circulated widely, shaping public perception beyond the inner circle of the court. It speaks to how the monarchy tried to manage perceptions, offering ideals for a complex society to contemplate and, quite often, emulate. Editor: So much to consider from a seemingly simple engraving! I now appreciate how carefully constructed and potent these images could be in their day. Curator: Absolutely. The symbolic weight and societal purpose these engravings carried cannot be understated; Dossier's print offers a fascinating intersection of mythology, portraiture, and the dynamics of power during the late Baroque era.