Vertumnus and Pomona
1613
In this playful Mannerist masterpiece, the Roman god Vertumnus pulls off the ultimate disguise to win the heart of Pomona, the goddess of fruit trees. Disguised as a wrinkled old woman complete with a walking stick and pruning knife, he leans in to woo the stunningly nude Pomona, who reclines casually among a bounty of apples and grapes. Goltzius masterfully contrasts the aged, heavily draped figure with the youthful, glowing skin of the goddess, creating a striking visual tension typical of the Mannerist style. It's a mythological love story where patience—and a good disguise—pays off!
Location: J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
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