But you are not moved by this tree’s example, and you shun marriage, and do not care to be wed. The story really starts with the Roman poet Ovid who outlines it in Book 14 of his epic poem Metamorphoses. Eventually in despair he hangs himself in her doorway. What did the Satyrs, fitted by their youth for dancing, not do to possess her, and the Pans with pine-wreathed horns, and Silvanus, always younger than his years, and Priapus, the god who scares off thieves, with his pruning hook or his phallus? In the Gulbenkian Collection’s tapestry, which was previously part of the Austrian Imperial collections, the gods appear facing one another, preparing for the fruit harvest: Vertumnus carries a ladder and Pomona a tool that looks like a pruning knife. If you have  you’ll probably know she’s associated with orchards and fruit. It’s a sign of how seriously classical imagery and culture underlines western civilization that many of the characters  associated with gardens and gardening are derived directly from it. I know him very well indeed …, Vertumnus And Pomona by Hendrik van the Elder Balen, Vertumnus and Pomona, William Hamilton, 1789, Royal Academy of Arts. Vertumnus, god of gardens and orchards, responsible for the changing of the seasons, and Pomona, goddess of fruit trees, have been represented many times by various artists, including Peter Paul Rubens. By disabling these cookies, it will no longer be possible to directly share our content in any social media. These cookies are third-party cookies that allow to connect to social media and share multimedia content from our website on those networks. So why am I writing about them? That you may fear them more (since my long life has given me knowledge of many tales) I will tell you a story, famous through all of Cyprus, by which you might easily be swayed and softened.’, Vertumnus and Pomona in a Garden, with Juno’s Peacock, Dirck van den Bergen, Ham House, National Trust, Anaxarete Seeing the Dead Iphis, Antonio Tempesta, from Ovid’s “Metamorphoses” 1606, And then the old lady tells Pomona the story of Iphis, a poor young man who falls in love for Anarexete, a noble maiden, but sadly one with a heart of stone, who mocks and scorns him. and who is the old lady in the picture below? Vertumnus and Pomona. This led her to live a secluded chaste life in a walled orchard, ignoring all men. Her right hand bore for its weapon not a javelin, but a pruning knife. In Ovid’s work, Pomona … The section that tells the story of Vertumnus and his love for Pomona is quite short and so I’ve included it in full, section by section, in italics, so you can skip over it if you want. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Vertumnus abandoned his old lady appearance and resumed his own youthful shape…and guess what Pomona finally fell for him and they were married and lived happily ever after! These cookies may be our own and / or owned by third parties. Take pity on his ardour, and believe that he, who seeks you, is begging you, in person, through my mouth. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. A lovely story with a happy ending. In Garden Culture none could so excell, Or form the pliant Souls of Plants so well; Or to the Fruit more gen'rous Flavours lend, Or teach the Trees with nobler Loads to bend. He was ready to force her: but no force was needed, and the nymph captivated by the form of the god, felt a mutual passion. Therefore, they are always enabled. So too did Vertumnus. O how often, disguised as an uncouth reaper, he would bring her a basket filled with ears of barley, and he was the perfect image of a reaper! Fear the vengeful gods, and Idalian Venus, who hates the hard-hearted, and Rhamnusian Nemesis, her inexorable wrath! I wish that you did! February is dedicated to love stories. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Some of these cookies help us to adapt advertising outside of our website to the interests of the users. The Foundation may also use cookies to share information on social media and to display messages and advertisements personalised to your interests, both on our website and in others.To get more information or change your preferences, click the "Cookie Settings" button below.

.

Cherry Chipotle Hot Sauce, Where To Buy Grade B Butter, Raman Name Meaning In Tamil, Goya Adobo Seasoning Without Pepper, Annual Reviews Package, Benefits Of Orgain Keto Collagen Protein Powder, Minwax Polyurethane Spray Matte, 2003 Dodge Ram Security System Reset, Healthy Chicken Stroganoff, Buy Fabric Online,