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The Birth of Pandora

Photo credit: Manchester Art Gallery

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Jupiter and Juno are seated on the right, with Mercury seated below and Hebe kneeling with a cup and plate. Pandora reclines on left, with Venus and Cupid holding girdle behind her, two Graces anointing and dressing her hair, while the third Grace ties her sandal. Hymen with the marriage torch looks on as Minerva presents Pandora with a tapestry shuttle to instruct her in the arts. On the far left are Apollo and Bacchus, with Vulcan in front guarding a bird emerging from its shell and releasing a butterfly symbolising Pandora's soul. Behind Jupiter's torch are the Three Fates, one advancing with the urn.

Manchester Art Gallery

Manchester

Title

The Birth of Pandora

Date

1791–1804

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 279 x W 520 cm

Accession number

1882.12

Acquisition method

purchased, 1856

Work type

Painting

Inscription description

Unsigned

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Normally on display at

Manchester Art Gallery

Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester M2 3JL England

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