Hieronymus Bosch North Renaissance Dutch Art SHOW + TEST

We tend to make assumptions about Bosch because so little is known about him. So we view his work and fill out his character traits using that work as a template.

Bosch could have been painting how he saw life instead of the supernatural. Or he could have been painting how he saw mental illness or the visions he may have experienced if he had a mental illness. What everyone can agree upon is that no one else could cover the darkness of humans quite like Bosch could. Viewing his work can be similar to experiencing an existential nightmare.

Bosch didn’t vary his technique or his materials. He stuck with the same materials, oil paint on wood, and stylistically he remained the same throughout his painting life. He stuck with his visions of the world and beyond. His palette favored green, blue, yellow and white when he began painting and had not reached a fever pitch. As the intensity grew and tortured beings took center stage, red, orange, gray and black took over.

Bosch produced triptychs, or three-part paintings, all known for their fantastical imagery. He ignored his native Flemish style, and instead drew with his brush.

Here are the major interpretations of his work. No one knows the truth of the matter since he left nothing behind but the work.

1. He painted heresy.

2. He was amused by his work and sought to amuse the viewer.

3. He taught moral and spiritual truths through his work.

4. He was way ahead of his time in painting Freudian principles.

5. He was inventing an early version of surrealism.

The only thing that we know is true is that he was way ahead of his time in every particular. He tried things that would not be attempted again for centuries.

Another assumption about Bosch is that all of his paintings are dark and tortured. Bosch actually had some very beautiful paintings with no dark element. They are found as details within his huge art works. Details showing this lighter side of Bosch are shown throughout this presentation.

165 slides in powerpoint show, including multiple choice visually based test. I put many slides in preview for your evaluation. Go to Preview Now!!!