“Pandora,” a work by Dante Gabriel Rossetti created in 1869, is executed in chalk on paper. It belongs to the Romanticism movement and is a mythological painting. The artwork, measuring 100.5 x 72.5 cm, is housed at Buscot Park in the Faringdon Collection, located in Faringdon, UK.
The artwork portrays the mythological figure Pandora, who is depicted with a melancholic and contemplative expression as she holds a box, symbolic of the infamous Pandora’s box from Greek mythology. The ethereal, almost otherworldly aura surrounding her, enhanced by the use of warm, fiery hues and soft blending in the background, underscores the mythical theme. Rossetti’s masterful use of chiaroscuro and his meticulous attention to detail reflect the Romanticism movement’s emphasis on emotion and beauty. The rich, deep colors and the luminous quality of the chalk medium imbue the artwork with a sense of depth and drama, inviting viewers to delve into the mythological narrative it represents.
