Pandora Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912)

In the painting Pandora, a young woman with long, flowing auburn hair is depicted in profile, gazing downwards at a small, enigmatic vessel held in her hands. She wears a crown of purple flowers, possibly lavender, around her head. Her skin is fair with a healthy blush on her cheeks.

The vessel itself is a dark, ornate bowl, possibly ceramic or metal, and it rests on a stone-like pedestal. Perched atop the pedestal, just above the rim of the bowl, is a small, intricately detailed bronze sculpture of a lion. The womans hands cradle the bowl with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation, her gaze intensely focused on the lion.

The background suggests an outdoor setting. Behind the woman, a vivid blue sky meets a turbulent, churning sea with white-capped waves. The scene appears to be framed by a rough, rocky archway or opening, hinting at a secluded or perhaps elemental environment.

Subtexts:

The painting Pandora draws directly from Greek mythology, specifically the myth of Pandora, the first woman created by the gods. The presence of the mythological figure and the vessel immediately evoke themes of:

• Curiosity and Forbidden Knowledge: Pandoras myth is fundamentally about curiosity leading to the unleashing of evils upon the world. The intense focus of the woman on the vessel and the symbolic lion suggests an impending revelation or the temptation of forbidden knowledge.
• The Nature of Evil and Suffering: The vessel is traditionally interpreted as Pandoras Box (or jar, in earlier versions of the myth), which contained all the evils of the world. The lion, a symbol of power, ferocity, and perhaps danger, atop the box further amplifies this sense of potential threat.
• Hope: Though not explicitly depicted as present in this moment of intense observation, the myth concludes with Hope remaining inside the box after all the evils have escaped. The contemplative pose of Pandora could be interpreted as her confronting the unknown consequences of her actions, with the lingering potential for hope.
• Femininity and the Divine Feminine: Pandora, as the first woman, represents a foundational aspect of femininity in the Greek pantheon. Her creation and subsequent actions have profound implications for humanity. The artists rendering of her with flowing hair and natural beauty can be seen as an exploration of this archetypal feminine figure.
• The Power of the Unseen: The painting emphasizes Pandoras gaze and the mysterious object she holds. This highlights the power of what is hidden, the potential for immense consequences stemming from seemingly small actions or objects. The turbulent sea behind her could also symbolize the chaos and unpredictable nature of the world that will be unleashed.