Dec 7, 2025
The Mandolin
Artist: James Smetham (English, 1821–1889)
Date: 1866
Medium: Watercolour and gouache on paper
Collection: Property from a Distinguished Hong Kong Collection
Source: Sotheby's
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The Mandolin
Artist: James Smetham (English, 1821–1889)
Date: 1866
Medium: Watercolour and gouache on paper
Collection: Property from a Distinguished Hong Kong Collection
Source: Sotheby's
Pandora
Artist: James Smetham (English, 1821-1889)
Date: c. 1865
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Private Collection
Description
Pandora was painted c.1865 when Smetham spent a day every week in Rossetti's studio in Cheyne Walk. The model was Ellen Smith who was often painted by Rossetti at this time.
In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first mortal woman, created by Hephaestus on the orders of Zeus, as a punishment for Prometheus's gift of fire to humanity. She was given a jar (later known as "Pandora's Box") containing all the evils and diseases of the world, and was instructed not to open it. Curiosity led her to open the jar, releasing these evils upon the world, thus marking the end of the Golden Age of Humanity.
Naboth in his Vineyard
Artist: James Smetham (English, 1821–1889)
Date: 1856
Medium: Oil paint on wood
Collection: Tate Britain, London, United Kingdom
Description
This picture illustrates the Old Testament story of Naboth – a parable of the sin of covetousness. Naboth owned a vineyard next to the palace of Ahab, King of Samaria. He is peering down on Naboth here. Ahab desired the vineyard but Naboth refused to give it up. So Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, had him stoned to death on a false charge of blasphemy. Ahab then seized the vineyard. Smetham, a Methodist, produced a number of religious works which were praised by Dante Gabriel Rossetti and the critic John Ruskin. But he had little public success.
Flora
Artist: James Smetham (English, 1821-1889)
Date: 19th century
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Private Collection
Pandora
Artist: James Smetham (English, 1821-1889)
Date: c. 1865
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Private Collection
Description
Pandora was painted c.1865 when Smetham spent a day every week in Rossetti's studio in Cheyne Walk. The model was Ellen Smith who was often painted by Rossetti at this time.
In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first mortal woman, created by Hephaestus on the orders of Zeus, as a punishment for Prometheus's gift of fire to humanity. She was given a jar (later known as "Pandora's Box") containing all the evils and diseases of the world, and was instructed not to open it. Curiosity led her to open the jar, releasing these evils upon the world, thus marking the end of the Golden Age of Humanity.
Pandora
Artist: James Smetham (English, 1821-889)
Date: 1865
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Private collection