The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) displays Pomona, Inventory No. 2232, a copper sculpture by Ossip Zadkine (1890-1967), a significant figure in 20th-century modernist sculpture. This piece offers a compelling modern interpretation of Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit trees, gardens, and orchards.

In Roman mythology, Pomona was unique among the pantheon for her exclusive association with cultivation rather than wild nature. She was portrayed as a skilled gardener who preferred the cultivated countryside to the untamed forests, symbolising humanity's relationship with domesticated landscapes. Her myth most famously includes the story of her courtship by Vertumnus, god of seasons and change, who won her affection by disguising himself in various forms.

Zadkine, born in Russia but primarily active in France, was known for his dynamic and expressive sculptures that blended cubist influences with more traditional forms. His interpretation of Pomona likely incorporates his signature style, which often featured elongated, angular forms and textured surfaces that create a sense of movement and emotional intensity.

The sculpture reflects Zadkine's deep engagement with mythology and nature, exploring themes of growth, fertility, and the relationship between humanity and the natural world. His modern treatment of this classical subject demonstrates how ancient mythological figures continue to provide rich material for artistic exploration across changing aesthetic movements.

The inclusion of this work in KMSKA's collection highlights Zadkine's significance in 20th-century art history and demonstrates the museum's commitment to representing the evolution of mythological subjects through modern artistic interpretation.