The Garden of Earthly Delights

by Hieronymus Bosch

       The Garden of Earthly Delights painted by Hieronymous Bosch is a huge triptych with each panel depicting elements of history and faith.  It is a complex composition with intricately drawn subjects of  flora and fauna.  The right panel illustrates Adam, Eve and the garden of Eden, in other words,  paradise.  The center panel features beautifully drawn nudes engaging in all sorts of sexual delights with huge luscious fruits and fantasy animals.  Now this would certainly represent paradise to some, but not to Mr. Bosch who was illustrating the downfall of man into sinful ways.  The left panel, logically, represents all the horrors of hell.   It is wonderful to gaze upon, not only for its subject matter, but because it is so impressively rendered by the artist who lived in the Netherlands between 1450 and 1516.  Truly a masterpiece.  It is currently hanging in the Prado in Spain.

Review posted by: Anon 

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