Jollain, Nicolas-René – Clytie changée en tournesol Château de Versailles

The composition presents a scene steeped in mythological narrative, rendered with a characteristic Rococo sensibility. Here we observe a female figure undergoing a dramatic transformation, her body contorting as she is seemingly converted into a sunflower. She lies prone on the ground, partially draped in a vibrant orange cloth and a white sheet that clings to her form. Her face expresses anguish and surprise; eyes wide, mouth slightly open, arms raised in a gesture of desperate appeal or perhaps supplication.
The artist has employed a warm color palette dominated by reds, oranges, and yellows, which contribute to the overall sense of heat and transformation. The figure’s skin tone is rendered with considerable attention to detail, highlighting the subtle gradations of light and shadow that define her anatomy. A small cherubic figure kneels beside her, his face turned upwards in a gesture of concern or perhaps pity. He holds what appears to be an arrow, suggesting a connection to the narratives cause – a divine punishment enacted through Cupid’s weapon.
In the background, another winged putto is positioned on a rocky outcrop, also with raised arms, seemingly witnessing the unfolding event. The landscape itself is loosely defined, consisting of foliage and a sky filled with swirling clouds that evoke a sense of emotional turbulence. A cluster of sunflowers blooms prominently in the lower left corner, foreshadowing the figure’s ultimate fate and serving as a visual marker for her metamorphosis.
The subtexts within this painting are layered. The narrative likely speaks to themes of divine retribution, unrequited love, and the consequences of transgression. Clyties transformation into a sunflower can be interpreted as a symbol of enduring devotion – she was said to have pursued Apollo relentlessly, and her punishment involved being transformed into a flower that perpetually turns towards him. The vulnerability of the female figure underscores the powerlessness of mortals in the face of divine will. The cherubic figures introduce an element of pathos and emphasize the tragic nature of the event. Overall, the work conveys a sense of dramatic tension and emotional intensity characteristic of mythological scenes from this period.