Hermes Presenting Pandora To King Epimetheus
1611
Hendrick Goltzius, famous mostly for his incredibly detailed engravings, stepped away from the printing press to create this dramatic mythological scene in 1611. Here, the messenger god Hermes (in the orange robe) delivers the beautiful but dangerous Pandora to King Epimetheus, who sits on his throne looking a bit too welcoming. According to myth, this 'gift' from the gods was actually a trap—Pandora would soon open her infamous jar, unleashing all the world's evils upon humanity. The painting is a textbook example of Mannerism, packed with elongated figures, swirling drapery, and a chaotic mix of divine and earthly elements that make your eyes dart around the canvas.
Views: 7