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Pandora Opening Her Box

Master Z.B.M.

1557

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Allegory

Dominant colour

Pandora Opening Her Box is a 1557 ink by Master Z.B.M., a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Master Z.B.M.
When & what style?: 1557 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This image shows a dramatic scene with a woman on her knees, opening a box while strange creatures fly out. The figures around her look chaotic—some are human-like, others have animal heads or wings. The background has ornate carvings and a building with scrollwork, giving it a fancy, old-world feel. The woman’s pose and the flying creatures suggest this isn’t just a normal scene—it’s a story with deeper meaning. The box she holds seems to be the source of trouble, and the chaotic figures might represent problems or evils released into the world. If you like this style, look up etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.