Who painted Pandora Opening Her Box?

Pandora Opening Her Box was painted by Master Z.B.M. in 1557.

Where can I see Pandora Opening Her Box?

Pandora Opening Her Box is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Pandora Opening Her Box?

Pandora Opening Her Box is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Pandora Opening Her Box?

Museum-quality prints of Pandora Opening Her Box are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Pandora Opening Her Box

Master Z.B.M. , 1557

Pandora Opening Her Box is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Master Z.B.M.. It dates from 1557 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower left in plate: Z.B.M. / 1557; lower right in plate: D.B.; lower right verso, in graphite: 980588, 198/156

About this work

Overview

Pandora Opening Her Box is a print executed in both etching and engraving on laid paper, dated 1557 and attributed to the enigmatic printmaker known only as Master Z.B.M. The work presents a compact, densely populated composition in which a kneeling female figure is caught in the act of opening a small container, while a swarm of fantastical beings erupts outward.

Subject & Meaning

The chaotic crowd underscores the narrative’s warning about unintended consequences of unchecked desire.

The central figure represents Pandora, the mythic woman whose curiosity released the world’s ills. Her outstretched hands and the open lid emphasize the moment of transgression, while the surrounding hybrid creatures, part human, part animal, some winged, symbolize the assorted evils that pour forth. The chaotic crowd underscores the narrative’s warning about unintended consequences of unchecked desire.

Technique & Style

The image combines the fine line work of engraving with the broader, tonal qualities of etching, allowing the artist to render intricate details in the figures and the elaborate architectural backdrop. Laid paper, with its ribbed texture, enhances the contrast between dark shadows and delicate hatching, creating a sense of depth that heightens the dramatic tension of the scene.

Context

Created in the mid‑sixteenth century, the print reflects the period’s fascination with classical mythology and moral allegory, common themes in Northern European print circles. The work bears the monogram of Master Z.B.M., a name that appears on a handful of contemporary prints, suggesting a workshop practice rather than a single artist. Its survival in museum collections attests to the continued scholarly interest in early modern graphic narratives.