Delicate alabaster statuette of Pandora, after James Pradier. She is draped in a long veil extending from her tiara, concealing half of her body and revealing one of her breasts. She is adorned with rich jewels: a large pearl necklace, earrings and a pearl chain falling to her hip. In a contraposto position borrowed from Greco-Roman sculpture, she carries a covered two-handled urn engraved with plant motifs. The fine sculptural work gives great plasticity to the body and a detailed treatment to the drapery. The alabaster color enhances the form by imitating the color of flesh, making this statuette all the more sensual. Circa: 1880
James Pradier's Pandora
In 1845, James Pradier completed a clay model of Pandora with the idea of making a monumental version. Alas, the marble block ordered for this project was not beautiful enough for the artist, who gave up working on it. A few years later, James Pradier sent a bronze edition of his Pandora to the 1850 Salon. Our alabaster sculpture belongs to a different category of statuettes, designed for a wider public following the sculptor's success in the mid-19th century. The mythological figure of Pandora, the epitome of the 19th-century femme fatale, was one of Pradier's most popular subjects. The Musée d'art et d'histoire de Genève owns and exhibits the 1845 clay model in its collection.
Base diameter: 11.5 cm
Condition report: In good condition. Minor wear to foot.
- Reference :
- 3245
- Width :
- 17 (cm)
- Height :
- 50 (cm)
- Depth :
- 12 (cm)
- Period:
- 19th century
- Style:
- Neo-Classical
- Materials:
- Alabaster
