Triomphe de Pomone (Triumph of Pomona) 1730 - 1790

Charles Nicolas Cochin II created this print titled "Triomphe de Pomone" using etching and engraving techniques. It depicts Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruitful abundance, specifically of fruit trees, gardens, and orchards. In this work, Cochin places Pomona at the center of an idealized vision of nature. We can see her surrounded by lush vegetation and classical architectural elements. The print reflects the 18th-century French court's fascination with pastoral themes, offering an escape from the rigid social structures of the time. The image subtly reinforces the era’s hierarchical views of the relationship between humanity and nature. Pomona, as a symbol of nature's bounty, is idealized but also domesticated, reflecting a desire to control and cultivate the natural world. Think about how it feels to consider our own relationship with nature and how the concept of taming it might challenge contemporary views.