Pomona Robert Levrac-Tournières (1668-1752)

The composition presents a young woman in a three-quarter portrait, her gaze directed towards the viewer with a subtle, almost melancholic expression. She is positioned against a backdrop that suggests an interior space, partially obscured by heavy drapery on the left and hinting at a landscape beyond through muted tones of green and blue. The lighting is soft and diffused, illuminating her face and upper body while leaving the background in relative shadow.
The woman’s attire is notable for its unusual combination of elements. She wears a wide-brimmed hat that dominates the upper portion of the frame, casting a gentle shade over her features. Beneath the hat, her hair is styled with braids interwoven with ribbons, and she adorns herself with a necklace and bracelets, suggesting a degree of prosperity or status. The dress itself appears to be made from layered fabrics, creating a sense of texture and volume. A prominent detail is the orange held in her hands; its vibrant color contrasts sharply with the muted palette of the rest of the scene, drawing immediate attention to it.
The subtexts within this painting are complex and open to interpretation. The hat, while seemingly decorative, could be read as a symbol of modesty or perhaps even a deliberate distancing from conventional portraiture. Her direct gaze establishes an intimate connection with the viewer, yet her expression remains ambiguous – is it one of invitation, resignation, or something else entirely? The orange she holds might signify abundance and fertility, common motifs in allegorical representations, but its presentation here feels less celebratory and more contemplative.
The overall effect is one of quiet introspection. Here we see a figure who seems both present and removed, her identity elusive yet compelling. The artist has created an image that invites prolonged observation, prompting questions about the woman’s story and the meaning behind her carefully constructed appearance.