This amazing masterpiece as well as other paintings from the artist, stand apart from all the other paintings of their time for numerous reasons. I would first like to introduce to you the man behind this interesting artwork, Jeroen Anthonissen van Aken. Jeroen was the grandson of a painter who had five kids, four of whom became painters themselves. Aken’s father was one of those four and was more than likely the one who taught his son the art of painting. You may never have heard of Jereon Anthonissen Van Aken due to the fact that at some point he began signing his work as Hieronymus Bosch (derived from his birthplace, ‘s-Hertogenbosch). Hieronymus is the name that stuck with him from that point on. Hieronymus, a dutchman lived in the “Low Countries” and this is presumably where he created pieces such as The Garden Of Earthly Delights. He lived from 1450 to 1516 but the dates of his paintings are all a mystery as he never dated them.
To give you, the reader a little insight into his artwork, Mr. Bosch was a humanist and conveyed his beliefs through his art.
Humanism is defined as “a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values; especially : a philosophy that usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individual’s dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason” (Merriam-Webster, 2012).
Consistant with humanism, the art serves as warning to its viewers. The Garden of Earthly Delights focuses on mankind and how the actions of mankind will affect their hereafter. The first extensive critique done on this piece was in 1605 by a man named José de Sigüenza in his work, History of the Order of St. Jerome. In his critique he mentioned that the panels “are a satirical comment on the shame and sinfulness of mankind”(Wikipedia,2013) I felt this was a fair and appropriate description.
Hieronymus Bosch argues through his imagery that humans have the power to choose their destiny and if they opt to live sinfully, consequences will be awaiting them in the afterlife. These consequences are depicted on the far right panel, in what appears to be damnation or hell. It is the final of three panels in this triptych – a piece of artwork divided into three sections.
Displayed on the left is an image of the Left Panel.
On this side, Bosch painted the picture of Paradise. The focal point in this panel is of Adam and Eve being introduced by God. Directly above them, Hieronymus painted the Fountain of Knowledge. Almost everything in this panel appears to be innocent and good.
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