William-Adolphe Bouguereau
(French, 1825-1905).


Pandore (1890).
Oil on canvas.

Pandora appears almost luminescent against a stark dark background.

Clothed only in a white robe, suggesting those worn in Classical times, a startled Pandora has just opened her perilous gold box.

Eyes wide, she gazes at the evils she has just unleashed into the world. With great economy, Bouguereau manages a compelling portrait of human suffering that remains timely despite being wrapped in ancient robes.