Born in Reepham in Norfolk on the 2nd January 1765, Richard Westall was apprenticed to a heraldic silver engraver in London in 1779 before joining the Royal Academy School of Art in 1785. He was elected a Royal Academician in 1794 and also served as drawing master to Princess Victoria, later Queen Victoria, in the last year of his life. Westall participated regularly in exhibitions at the Academy until his death in 1836.

Westall painted portraits of Queen Victoria, Lord Byron and Richard Ayton, his illustrations for books include an edition of the Bible and of John Milton’s poems and he painted genre and Shakespearean scenes.

Richard Payne Knight, who commissioned Vertumnus and Pomona and its companion piece Flora unveiled by Zephyrs, from the artist, was a classical scholar and member of The Society of Dilletante. Inheriting a fortune from his grandfather, Knight’s wealth allowed him the luxury of travel. Spending time in Italy he developed a profound interest in classical art.

The scene from Ovid depicts the wood nymph Pomona, protector of gardens, orchards and fruit in her garden beside her suitor Vertumnus. The god appeared to Pomona in many guises in an attempt to woo her but on each occasion he was rejected. He appeared as a reaper, fisherman and finally old woman. Vertumnus was at last successful in winning Pomona’s confidence, when as an old woman, he suggested that ‘like the vine supported by the elm, Pomona should consent to unite with someone’. Pomona accepted the advice and at this point Vertumnus appeared as his true self – a handsome youth. (1)

1. Michael Clarke & Nicholas Penny, The Arrogant Connoisseur: Richard Payne Knight 1751-1824, Manchester University Press/Whitworth Art Gallery, Oxford 1982, page 187.