Pandora
Chauncey Bradley Ives
American Art
In Greek mythology, Pandora, the first woman created by the gods, opened a box that released all the evils of humanity into the world. This sculpture depicts the moment just before Pandora gives in to temptation, and shows her hand raised and about to open the box.
Many sculptors in the second half of the nineteenth century depicted idealized female subjects taken from mythology and literature. Here, the female form of Pandora represents pure beauty. At the same time, however, depicting Pandora in the process of opening the box of her own accord suggested the growing independence of women in this period.
MEDIUM
Marble
DATES
1871
DIMENSIONS
statue: 58 x 17 x 16 3/4 in., 364 lb. (147.3 x 43.2 x 42.5 cm, 165.11kg)
pedestal (height): 31 3/8 in. (79.7 cm)
pedestal and statue: 483 lb. (219.09kg)
(show scale)
SIGNATURE
Incised on edge of base at proper left: "C. B. IVES / FECIT / ROMÆ 1871"
ACCESSION NUMBER
06.146
CREDIT LINE
Bequest of Caroline H. Polhemus
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Figure of idealized nude female standing in contrapposto pose and looking down at octagonal jar she holds in her proper left hand, proper right hand raised near jar, cloth held over left arm drapes around left side of body and falls to floor, figure stands on round plinth.
Condition: Good, missing pinky and ring finger of proper right hand, few pock marks overall.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Chauncey Bradley Ives (American, 1812–1894). Pandora, 1871. Marble, statue: 58 x 17 x 16 3/4 in., 364 lb. (147.3 x 43.2 x 42.5 cm, 165.11kg). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Caroline H. Polhemus, 06.146. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 06.146_cropped_glass_bw.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 06.146_cropped_glass_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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