The quote, “The past is a foreign country. They do things
differently there,”[1]
came to mind while doing an in-depth examination of the work of Hieronymos
Bosch (c.1450-1516), better known as Bosch [El Boscho]. His work, The Garden of Earthly Delights
triptych (c.1490-1500), is other worldly; something that is reminiscent of a
science fiction rendering. At first glance, one might even consider it
bordering on pornography, yet the goal of work was to warn parishioners away
from such behaviors.
As the museum’s explanation notes, “The artist derived his
inspiration from medieval visual culture: devils, monsters, fantastical beasts,
and anthropological forms.” Yet the display goes on to note it is difficult for
us to understand, or appreciate, the full impact of the work and its meaning.
The ability to decipher the images have been lost, according to the museum.
The three scenes of the triptych focus on the theme of sin. On
the left: Adam and Eve are depicted in the Garden of Eden. In the center panel,
Bosch depicts the false paradise given over to lust where people engage in all
manner of pleasurable activities that will lead to an ultimate punishment. On the
right, is the depiction of God’s punishment for sin is hell. Principal message
of the triptych is “the fragile and transient nature of happiness and the
enjoyment of those sinful pleasures.”[2]
As I was staring, trying to process the images of Bosch, I was reminded of
Orwell contention that the images of afterlife paradise changes over time depending
on the hardships of the day, Hence, in a society where there is a lack of food,
heaven is depicted as place where there is a never ending banquet.
In the same room at the Prado, The Haywain Triptych
(1512-1515) by Bosch is similar. It does not have the same number of people
jostling to inspect the Garden of Earthly Delights, but has the same
theme, with slightly less audacious renderings. I found it helpful in
understanding both works. The explanation provided by the museum notes, “[The
triptych] illustrates the verse from Isaiah, “All flesh is like the grass. All
its glory is like the flower of the fields”[3]
Furthermore, the work recalls the Netherlandish proverb, “The world is a
Haywain [Haywagon], and each man plucks from it what he can.”
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