Hieronymus Bosch
(1453 - 1516) |
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Master of the grotesque and the bizarre; fantastical visions of hell; medieval prophecy depicted in a Renaissance manner; precursor of surrealism Art Work
| Name: |
Hieronymus Bosch |
| Gender: |
Male |
| Place of Birth: |
Hertogenbosch, Netherlands |
| Nationality: |
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| Birth: |
1453 |
| Death: |
1516 |
| Website: |
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| Past Auctions: |
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Quick Facts
| Known For: |
Master of the grotesque and the bizarre; fantastical visions of hell; medieval prophecy depicted in a Renaissance manner; precursor of surrealism |
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| Method: |
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| Style: |
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| Fine Art Profession(s): |
Painting
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Biography
| Born Jeroen van Aken, Bosch adopted his name from 's-Hertogenbosch, a town of the southern Netherlands in which he lived, worked, and died. He was born to a family of German artists, and a number of original documents confirm his high social status and prominence. Bosch did not have to earn a living as a painter; his tax records show that he was one of the town's wealthiest men. Perhaps his financial freedom is In part the reason for his unusual and bizarre subject matter. Although Bosch did produce some traditional religious altarpieces. he is best remembered for creating large, open landscapes filled with depictions of fantastic, part-human, part-machine beasts. These large panel paintings portray nightmarish visions with the aim of symbolizing the sins and immorality of mankind. Such visions had been more common in late medieval times, and Bosch was surety influenced by earlier manuscript illustrations. His surreal and symbolic images are depictions of human failings and temptations but aim to teach and redeem their viewers. Such a masterpiece as The Garden of Earthly Delights (c 1500-1510) depicts the history of the creation of the world and includes visions of Earth, heaven, and hell; yet the work continues to baffle scholars who argue over its complex iconography. Although the meanings of his works remain mysterious, Bosch's use of translucent oil paints and his technical virtuosity allow for vast amounts of painstaking detail. Despite his fame, only twenty-five works can definitely be attributed to him. He rarely signed his work, and because of his persistent popularity many contemporary copies of his works exist. He proved a major source of inspiration to the works of Salvador Dall and the surrealists. |
Samples of Work
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