worldpaintings:

John William Waterhouse

Pandora, 1896, oil on canvas, 91 × 152 cm, private collection.

According to Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman ever to be created on earth. At the request of Zeus she was blessed with every gift the gods could grant – from beauty to persuasion. Zeus then presented her with a box which she was not to open under any circumstance. According to the myth, Pandora opened the box, releasing all the evils of mankind which then spread all over the earth. Only Hope was left inside once she had closed the box again.