Hieronymus Bosch

 

Hieronymus Bosch

Born during the late Gothic era, Hieronymus Bosch is best known for a triptych nicknamed "Garden of Earthly Delights." This huge 3-panel painting was a private commission so the original title and meaning have been lost. Bosch did not keep a journal and most of what we know about him is from very dry city records. We can conclude that he chose to create in his own style and didn't follow the trends of the time. 

What's most amazing is how influential he was to other artists. His work was mimicked so much that there is a lot of debate as to how many paintings he created and which ones are authentically his. Even to this day, there are art students looking at this image and picking out details for their own inspiration. 

The painting takes on a surreal landscape with human-like machines and strange beasts. Long before the term surrealism was ever created, Bosch began this unique dream-like subject matter that viewers have been interpreting for centuries.

This is probably the most genuine way an artist becomes immortal. His past and personality remain a mystery. The information in this painting and choice of items is so strange and intriguing, we haven't left it alone for since the day it was created.