Pandora 

John Gibson made this sculpture of Pandora from marble during the 19th century. Marble, prized for its smooth texture and ability to capture light, was the material of choice for classical sculpture, so Gibson was situating himself within a tradition. The process of carving marble, a subtractive method, demands precision and control. Gibson would have likely started with a rough block, gradually removing material to reveal the figure within. The surface is highly polished, accentuating the cool, pristine quality of the marble. The folds of the drapery, delicately carved, highlight the artist's skill. In Gibson’s time, marble carving was organized in workshops, with different artisans responsible for various stages of the work. So the making of something like this involved not only Gibson’s artistry, but the labor of others. Considering this division of labor sheds light on the broader social context of artistic production at the time. It encourages us to see beyond the individual genius of the artist, and appreciate the collaborative nature of craft.