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Vertumnus is the god of seasons, change and plant growth, as well as gardens and fruit trees.

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Vertumnus and Pomona

Artist: Frans van Mieris the Younger (Dutch, 1689–1763)

Date: c. 1760

Medium: Oil on panel

Collection: Private Collection

Description

During the reign of one of the kings, Pomona-the goddess of fruits-was a prominent dryad in the region. She was skillful at gardening. Instead of hunting or fishing, she spent all day pruning and watering fruit trees in her orchard. She had no reverence for Venus, and therefore no desire for love or passion. She was afraid of any peasant, satyr, or god that might try to assault her. Pomona’s story is another story about a woman who prefers to spend her time in other matters than those of love. In doing so, Pomona is refusing to worship Venus, who stands for love and marriage. This suggests that refusing love is akin to scorning a god and could likewise incur punishment.

A god named Vertumnus falls in love with Pomona, but she rejects him. He visits her orchard in different disguises so he can be close to her. One day, disguised as an old woman, he draws Pomona’s attention to a grapevine climbing up a tree. He says that Pomona needs a mate the way the grapevine needs the tree. If she only realized this, she would have tons of suitors. Vertumnus says that he knows a man (meaning himself) who would not pursue lots of women but would devote himself to her alone. He says that this suitor is young and handsome and shares Pomona’s interests. He warns Pomona that Venus is vindictive towards women who reject lovers.

roman mythology: vertumnus

vertumnus is the god of seasons, change, and plant growth. he is also the god of gardens and fruit trees. vertumnus is known for his ability to change his form at will.

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Vertumnus and Pomona, Pontormo, 1519-21

Cornelis Holsteyn, attributed (Dutch, 1618-1658) Vertumnus and Pomona, n.d.

This depiction is based on an episode from Ovid's Metamorphoses. The god of vegetation Vertumnus falls in love with the goddess of tree fruits Pomona, but she rejects him. He unsuccessfully courts her in the guise of various characters until he approaches her disguised as an old woman and thus gains access to her garden.