Thank to J_ W_ for emailing, querying whether the items in the bowl by the feet of the subject in Mater Triumphalis were pomegranate seeds.

I had assumed, for no reason other than the subject appeared to be standing on a sea shore, that the items in the bowl were shells, although I could think of no reason why they should be there. J_ W_’s suggestion fits with the subject along with pomegranate/pomegranate seed symbolist use in art historically [I’ve had to rapidly educate myself on the subject!].

“Traditionally, the pomegranate symbolizes life and growth, which can also equate to beauty, prosperity, and fertility” (Spry, Hannah (2019) University of Minnesota), the fruit often shown open with the seeds exposed or falling out.

I have no doubt, with her knowledge of Greco-Roman mythology – apparent from her subject choice in many paintings – in which this association of pomegratates and their seeds with female fecundity is found, Annie would have been well aware of the connection. Suddenly the picture makes more sense as a whole. Thank you, J_ W_.

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Jonathan Russell