The Garden of Earthly Delights: A Triptych Into Subconscious
Masterpiece of detail and symbolism, depicting scenes of paradise, earthly pleasures, and hell in a rich and imaginative way, inviting multiple interpretations and meanings.
Old Masters, art
Between the years 1480 and 1505, Hieronymus Bosch crafted The Garden of Earthly Delights, a triptych rendered in oil on panel. This captivating artwork measures 220 x 390 cm and is currently displayed at the Museo del Prado, Madrid.
The Garden of Earthly Delights is not just a painting. It is a portal to another dimension, a gateway to a realm of wonder and horror, a glimpse into the depths of the human psyche. It is a work of art that challenges our perception of reality and invites us to explore the hidden layers of consciousness that lie beyond our rational mind. The painting consists of three panels, each depicting a different stage of human existence. The left panel shows the Garden of Eden, the original state of innocence and harmony, where God created Adam and Eve and gave them dominion over all living things.
The central panel shows the Garden of Earthly Delights, the corrupted state of indulgence and decadence, where humans have abandoned their divine purpose and succumbed to their carnal desires. The right panel shows the Garden of Hell, the final state of suffering and punishment, where humans face the consequences of their sins and are tormented by demons and monsters. The painting is a visual representation of the quote by William James, the father of American psychology, who wrote:
“One conclusion that was forced upon my mind at that time, and my impression of its truth has ever since remained unshaken. It is that our normal waking consciousness, rational consciousness as we call it, is but one special type of consciousness, whilst all about it, parted from it by the filmiest of screens, there lie potential forms of consciousness entirely different. We may go through life without suspecting their existence; but apply the requisite stimulus, and at a touch they are there in all their completeness, definite types of mentality which probably somewhere have their field of application and adaptation. No account of the universe in its totality can be final which leaves these other forms of consciousness quite disregarded. How to regard them is the question, for they are so discontinuous with ordinary consciousness. Yet they may determine attitudes though they cannot furnish formulas, and open a region though they fail to give a map. At any rate, they forbid a premature closing of our accounts with reality.”
The shared horizon, highlighted in yellow, in Hieronymus Bosch's triptych The Garden of Earthly Delights, created between 1480 and 1505. This masterpiece, composed in oil on panel, spans 220 x 390 cm, Credit: Museo del Prado.
The painting is a stimulus that activates these other forms of consciousness, that reveals the hidden aspects of our nature, that exposes the paradoxes and contradictions of our existence. It is a map that guides us through the regions of the unknown, that shows us the possibilities and the dangers of our choices, that warns us of the consequences of our actions. This formula that expresses the essence of our being, captures the complexity and the simplicity of our reality, that synthesizes the diversity and the unity of our world.
The painting is a masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of time and space, that speaks to the universal and the personal, that resonates with the ancient and the modern. It is a work of art that defies categorization and interpretation, challenging assumptions and expectations, inviting curiosity and imagination. The journey begins with creation and ends with destruction, passing through temptation and redemption, exploring heaven and hell. This journey is one we all take in our lives, offering opportunities for learning, enjoyment, and shared experiences as fellow humans and gardeners of earthly delights.
Hieronymus Bosch, his Influences, Inspirations and Creative Process
Hieronymus Bosch, 1498 b. Netherlands, Photo: artearti.net
Hieronymus Bosch was a brilliant and original painter from the Netherlands, who lived in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. His work is known for its unusual and complex iconography, full of fantastical creatures, surreal landscapes, and moral messages. He was recognized as a highly imaginative creator of devils and a powerful inventor of seeming nonsense with hidden meanings. Bosch was influenced by various sources, such as the religious and political turmoil of his time, the medieval tradition of morality plays and allegories, the natural and moral philosophy of the late Middle Ages, and the artistic legacy of Flemish and Italian painters. He also drew inspiration from his own observations of nature and human behavior, as well as from his personal beliefs and experiences.
Bosch's creative process was largely improvisatory and experimental, as he explored the possibilities of the oil medium and the visual representation of abstract concepts. He often revised his compositions and motifs in the course of painting, adding or changing details and layers of meaning. He used a variety of techniques, such as glazing, scumbling, scratching, and stippling, to create rich and varied effects of light, color, texture, and depth. Bosch's work has been influential in the development of artistic movements decades and, in some cases, centuries later; Bosch really was ahead of his time. Most notably, Bosch's work is seen as a vital precursor to surrealism and, 400 years on from his death, some have gone so far as to crown him the first surrealist. His work has also inspired many contemporary artists, who have adapted or referenced his imagery and themes in their own works.
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