The artwork, titled “Pandora,” was created by John William Waterhouse in the year 1898. Rendered with oil on canvas, the piece measures 91.12 x 152 cm. It belongs to the Romanticism art movement and is classified under the genre of mythological painting. Currently, the artwork resides in a private collection.
In the artwork, a young woman, Pandora, is depicted kneeling in a secluded, wooded area with lush vegetation surrounding her. She is captured in the act of opening a golden, ornately decorated chest, known in mythology as “Pandora’s Box.” The chest is placed on a stone pedestal, slightly ajar, and emitting a soft, ethereal light. The detailing of Pandora’s dark, flowing dress, and the intricate carvings on the chest, exemplify Waterhouse’s ability to harmonize both the romantic and the mythological elements in his work. The tranquil yet mysterious forested background further accentuates the moment’s tension, embodying the profound and curious nature of the mythological narrative.