Hieronymus Bosch was a Dutch artist who painted men with birds shooting from their asses, poultry tied to trees, and a lot of naked people cavorting with (and being tortured by) demons.
He left no letters or diaries, and some believe he may never have even traveled from the city he was presumably born, good old.. 's-Hertogenbosch- which, in the 15th century, was probably filled with monasteries and not much else. It's guessed he was trained in the arts by either his father or uncle- but none of their paintings exist. His birth date is unknown.
He left no letters or diaries, and some believe he may never have even traveled from the city he was presumably born, good old.. 's-Hertogenbosch- which, in the 15th century, was probably filled with monasteries and not much else. It's guessed he was trained in the arts by either his father or uncle- but none of their paintings exist. His birth date is unknown.
His paintings are a mixture of horrifying and whimsical images; sinners being forced to repent, joyous, ripe scenery brimming with nude women and fruit, monsters slithering at every corner. And the occasional pig dressed as a nun. Some have interpreted his works as early surrealism meant to amuse or bewilder. Others point out references to alchemy, astrology and witchcraft- while most seem to think they're probably just depictions of standard religious practices, executed in lurid and unusual ways.
One controversial and largely unfounded theory is from a guy named Wilhelm Fraenger, who thinks Bosch may have been a member of some weird heretical sect called "The Brethren of the Free Spirit". Ironically, little is known about this group either, but rumor has it they were pretty naughty and probably had orgies and stuff. Bosch's most popular painting- The Garden of Earthly Delights, a triptych of fantastical images where the creation of the world unfolds (and then sort of goes to hell), according to Fraenger's theory, may have instead been an account of Bosch's questionable (and highly speculative) practices in the crazy group. If that's true, those were some wicked parties.
One controversial and largely unfounded theory is from a guy named Wilhelm Fraenger, who thinks Bosch may have been a member of some weird heretical sect called "The Brethren of the Free Spirit". Ironically, little is known about this group either, but rumor has it they were pretty naughty and probably had orgies and stuff. Bosch's most popular painting- The Garden of Earthly Delights, a triptych of fantastical images where the creation of the world unfolds (and then sort of goes to hell), according to Fraenger's theory, may have instead been an account of Bosch's questionable (and highly speculative) practices in the crazy group. If that's true, those were some wicked parties.
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The Garden of Earthly Delights (the middle panel of the triptych- pictured above) has been reproduced almost as many times as The Mona Lisa and is just as mysterious. It's believed that a creature commonly referred to as "the tree man", featured prominently in the third panel, is actually a self portrait of the artist.
If this is true, it's easily the most insane self portrait in the history of the universe. In it, a man sort of sheepishly, humorously (?.. it's hard to tell..) glances at the viewer from over his shoulder (if he had one). The form consists of what appear to be trees for legs, and an egg shell body with demons taking a smoke break in the ass. Is it a version of Satan? Is he portraying himself as a fellow sinner? Or is he just fucking with us?
If this is true, it's easily the most insane self portrait in the history of the universe. In it, a man sort of sheepishly, humorously (?.. it's hard to tell..) glances at the viewer from over his shoulder (if he had one). The form consists of what appear to be trees for legs, and an egg shell body with demons taking a smoke break in the ass. Is it a version of Satan? Is he portraying himself as a fellow sinner? Or is he just fucking with us?
(Click on images to enlarge)
1 comment:
I have silently wondered about this artist for years. As a youngin' I had a book with multiple works, and was highly upset by them (in a good way). Thanks for the insight.
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