Vertumnus and Pomona

Description

In 1774 Louis-Marin Bonnet developed yet another technical innovation: a printed gold leaf border. Janinet, who had been Bonnet's student, adopted this practice. However, because the use of gold leaf by printmakers was illegal (they were not among the trades officially allowed to use it), the two artists produced only about 20 prints with gold frames before they were caught by the authorities. In classical mythology, Pomona was a nymph who grew fruit but did not allow men to enter her orchard. Vertumnus, a handsome young man, disguised himself as an old woman to gain entry. After telling Pomona stories of love, he removed his disguise and won her hand.

Provenance

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Vertumnus and Pomona

Jean François Janinet

c. 1776

Accession Number

1987.90

Medium

Color wash-manner etching and engraving with applied gold leaf

Dimensions

Sheet: 33.3 x 26.5 cm (13 1/8 x 10 7/16 in.)

Classification

Print

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Milne in memory of Leona E. Prasse