Vertumnus and Pomona Hendrick Goltzius

The composition presents a scene of apparent encounter between two figures set within a lush, overgrown landscape. On the left, an elderly man is seated, his posture suggesting both authority and fragility. He wears a simple, ochre-colored robe draped over a dark blue garment, and leans on a staff, indicating age and perhaps dependence. His face is deeply lined, with prominent features that convey wisdom or cunning.
To his right lies a young woman, reclining in a relaxed pose. Her nudity is presented without overt sensuality; rather, it emphasizes her connection to nature and fertility. She rests upon a vibrant tapestry laden with fruits – apples, grapes, and other produce – reinforcing the theme of abundance and harvest. The arrangement of fruit around her body creates a visual echo of her form, further integrating her into the natural world.
The background is dominated by dense foliage, rendered in rich greens and browns, which partially obscures distant trees bearing ripe fruit. This backdrop establishes an atmosphere of secluded paradise or a hidden grove.
A key element lies in the interaction between the two figures. The elderly man’s hand reaches out towards the woman, his gesture ambiguous – is it one of invitation, caution, or perhaps even manipulation? The young womans expression appears to be one of guarded curiosity; she does not meet his gaze directly but looks slightly away, suggesting a degree of apprehension or reluctance.
The subtexts within this work revolve around themes of transformation and the passage of time. The contrast between youth and age, innocence and experience, is central. It can be interpreted as an allegory for courtship, where an older figure attempts to engage with someone younger, potentially representing the allure of wisdom or power over youthful vitality. The abundance of fruit suggests a moment of ripeness, both literally in terms of harvest and metaphorically concerning the potential for change and growth within the relationship depicted. The setting itself – a secluded garden brimming with life – hints at hidden desires and the complexities inherent in human interaction.