Patrick Costello
Prometheus and Pandora
This is one of Laguerre's last painted schemes (1718-20). It was painted at the same time as his masterpiece, the Saloon at Blenheim. The principal theme is the story of Prometheus and Pandora.
In Classical mythology, Prometheus stole fire from the gods, and was punished by Jupiter who chained him to a rock. He was released by Hercules. Jupiter punished mankind for Prometheus's theft of fire by making Pandora open her box (depicted on the ceiling), which unleashed all the world's evils.
Only hope remained inside. The story is depicted in general terms, but the choice of subject must be an allusion to the disastrous fire of 1714, which prompted the commission.
Prometheus and Pandora
This is one of Laguerre's last painted schemes (1718-20). It was painted at the same time as his masterpiece, the Saloon at Blenheim. The principal theme is the story of Prometheus and Pandora.
In Classical mythology, Prometheus stole fire from the gods, and was punished by Jupiter who chained him to a rock. He was released by Hercules. Jupiter punished mankind for Prometheus's theft of fire by making Pandora open her box (depicted on the ceiling), which unleashed all the world's evils.
Only hope remained inside. The story is depicted in general terms, but the choice of subject must be an allusion to the disastrous fire of 1714, which prompted the commission.