Pandora
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Object Label
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.
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) pedestal (height): 31 3/8 in. (79.7 cm) pedestal and statue: 483 lb. (219.09kg). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Caroline H. Polhemus, 06.146. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 06.146_cropped_glass_bw.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Artist
Title
Pandora
Date
1871
Geography
Place made: United States
Medium
Marble
Classification
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)
Signatures
Incised on edge of base at proper left: "C. B. IVES / FECIT / ROMÆ 1871"
Credit Line
Bequest of Caroline H. Polhemus
Accession Number
06.146
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.
Frequent Art Questions
What happened to her fingers?
Most likely the fingers were damaged at some point moving this sculpture between locations. They are the most fragile aspect of the sculpture, and often fingers, or other thin details tend to break over time. The missing fingers make her an interesting sculpture to compare with Louise Bourgeois' nearby "self-portrait" of her hands post sculpting marble.What is that box?
Are you familiar with the myth of Pandora? That is a very dainty representation of Pandora's box!I am not familiar with the story.In the myth, Pandora was the first woman. She was created by the god Zeus and given many gifts and talents as well as this box that she was not meant to open. Her curiosity got the better of her and she opened it anyway. It unleashed the evils of mankind onto the earth, but hope remained inside the box.Greek and Roman mythology were popular subjects for 19th century sculptors. Here, Chauncey Bradley Ives shows Pandora at her most curious, considering opening the box.I see.Fun fact: In the ancient Greek interpretation of the story, Pandora would have had a clay pot instead of the box that is often referred to today.Interesting, Pandora's pot.
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