Vertumnus en Pomona c. 1727

Francois Boucher made this print, Vertumnus and Pomona, using etching techniques. The Rococo style embodied in this print exemplifies the tastes of the French court and aristocracy during the 18th century. Boucher, as a favorite artist of Madame de Pompadour, epitomized this aesthetic, producing works of art that catered to the desires of an elite class. In this scene, from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, we see Vertumnus disguised as an old woman, trying to seduce Pomona. Boucher’s emphasis on sensuality and pleasure reflects the values of a society increasingly detached from the realities faced by the majority of the population. The print offers a glimpse into the art institutions that supported and promoted such artistic endeavors. By examining the social and economic conditions that shaped Boucher's career, we can gain insight into the ways in which art both reflected and reinforced existing power structures. Scholarly articles, primary source documents, and exhibition catalogs can help to understand the complex relationship between art, patronage, and social class in 18th-century France.