Caseiokey
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For your questions on riddles of #HieronymusBosch #latemedieval
#earlyrenaissance #art #symbolism .
Images can be enhanced for visibility.
(Generally no content warning for 500+ years old works of art.)
#earlyrenaissance #art #symbolism .
Images can be enhanced for visibility.
(Generally no content warning for 500+ years old works of art.)
VERONICA’S LEGEND
started ~13c:
During His carrying of the cross, Veronica gave Christ a sweat cloth. The depiction of His face impression became popular.
Hieronymus Bosch & Studio painted it several times. Bosch Followers used it too.
“Veronica” is explained as <vera icon> = the real depiction.
started ~13c:
During His carrying of the cross, Veronica gave Christ a sweat cloth. The depiction of His face impression became popular.
Hieronymus Bosch & Studio painted it several times. Bosch Followers used it too.
“Veronica” is explained as <vera icon> = the real depiction.
November 21, 2025 at 12:47 PM
VERONICA’S LEGEND
started ~13c:
During His carrying of the cross, Veronica gave Christ a sweat cloth. The depiction of His face impression became popular.
Hieronymus Bosch & Studio painted it several times. Bosch Followers used it too.
“Veronica” is explained as <vera icon> = the real depiction.
started ~13c:
During His carrying of the cross, Veronica gave Christ a sweat cloth. The depiction of His face impression became popular.
Hieronymus Bosch & Studio painted it several times. Bosch Followers used it too.
“Veronica” is explained as <vera icon> = the real depiction.
Besides a little joke,
this detail also has a shepherd carrying a 🔔 bell!
this detail also has a shepherd carrying a 🔔 bell!
November 21, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Besides a little joke,
this detail also has a shepherd carrying a 🔔 bell!
this detail also has a shepherd carrying a 🔔 bell!
Indeed it may be a self-portrait.
November 21, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Indeed it may be a self-portrait.
I also noticed magic/diabolic eggs.
And all the writings and symbols.
And all the writings and symbols.
November 21, 2025 at 12:30 PM
I also noticed magic/diabolic eggs.
And all the writings and symbols.
And all the writings and symbols.
THE CAVALIERS (at RIGHT)
as Dr.Bax called a Bosch group with the Tree-Witch,
is seen by him and a.o. Dr.De Bruyn as possibly a desecration of the Flight to Egypt.
Diabolic imagery to try to harass Anthony.
At LEFT a contemporary work by the Master of St.Aegidius ~1490-1510; at Boijmans Rotterdam.
as Dr.Bax called a Bosch group with the Tree-Witch,
is seen by him and a.o. Dr.De Bruyn as possibly a desecration of the Flight to Egypt.
Diabolic imagery to try to harass Anthony.
At LEFT a contemporary work by the Master of St.Aegidius ~1490-1510; at Boijmans Rotterdam.
November 21, 2025 at 8:37 AM
THE CAVALIERS (at RIGHT)
as Dr.Bax called a Bosch group with the Tree-Witch,
is seen by him and a.o. Dr.De Bruyn as possibly a desecration of the Flight to Egypt.
Diabolic imagery to try to harass Anthony.
At LEFT a contemporary work by the Master of St.Aegidius ~1490-1510; at Boijmans Rotterdam.
as Dr.Bax called a Bosch group with the Tree-Witch,
is seen by him and a.o. Dr.De Bruyn as possibly a desecration of the Flight to Egypt.
Diabolic imagery to try to harass Anthony.
At LEFT a contemporary work by the Master of St.Aegidius ~1490-1510; at Boijmans Rotterdam.
“I have this precious rare flower;
would you care to trade it?”
would you care to trade it?”
November 21, 2025 at 8:34 AM
“I have this precious rare flower;
would you care to trade it?”
would you care to trade it?”
Bosch created a marvelous image of the upside-down-world, with the Falconer in a Falcon hood:
a man that cannot see?!
But there still is something fishy about the scene….
a man that cannot see?!
But there still is something fishy about the scene….
November 20, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Bosch created a marvelous image of the upside-down-world, with the Falconer in a Falcon hood:
a man that cannot see?!
But there still is something fishy about the scene….
a man that cannot see?!
But there still is something fishy about the scene….
A TURTLE/TORTOISE
may be distinguished on some of painter Hieronymus Bosch’s works.
*It can have been seen as a strange, thus demonic life form
*the shield reminds of a knight’s armor
*its seclusion fits recluse saints, like Anthony
*it stands for strength, stability & long life.
may be distinguished on some of painter Hieronymus Bosch’s works.
*It can have been seen as a strange, thus demonic life form
*the shield reminds of a knight’s armor
*its seclusion fits recluse saints, like Anthony
*it stands for strength, stability & long life.
November 20, 2025 at 10:50 AM
A TURTLE/TORTOISE
may be distinguished on some of painter Hieronymus Bosch’s works.
*It can have been seen as a strange, thus demonic life form
*the shield reminds of a knight’s armor
*its seclusion fits recluse saints, like Anthony
*it stands for strength, stability & long life.
may be distinguished on some of painter Hieronymus Bosch’s works.
*It can have been seen as a strange, thus demonic life form
*the shield reminds of a knight’s armor
*its seclusion fits recluse saints, like Anthony
*it stands for strength, stability & long life.
“Did you even wash your feet first?
We’re on holy ground, you know!”
We’re on holy ground, you know!”
November 19, 2025 at 10:29 AM
“Did you even wash your feet first?
We’re on holy ground, you know!”
We’re on holy ground, you know!”
Quite possibly when Hieronymus Bosch was absent in Den Bosch, senior members of the studio painted the inside of the Last Judgment triptych of 1500-05, now on permanent view in Vienna.
It’s quite big: total 245,5x164,4cm.
Was Bosch meanwhile painting the Garden work at Brussels’ Court, 1495-1505?
It’s quite big: total 245,5x164,4cm.
Was Bosch meanwhile painting the Garden work at Brussels’ Court, 1495-1505?
November 19, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Quite possibly when Hieronymus Bosch was absent in Den Bosch, senior members of the studio painted the inside of the Last Judgment triptych of 1500-05, now on permanent view in Vienna.
It’s quite big: total 245,5x164,4cm.
Was Bosch meanwhile painting the Garden work at Brussels’ Court, 1495-1505?
It’s quite big: total 245,5x164,4cm.
Was Bosch meanwhile painting the Garden work at Brussels’ Court, 1495-1505?
For the interested:
here some of the drawings UNDER the final paint layer, with fantasy colors by me.
Bosch originally planned to add some animals to the scene, like a kind of Turtle (the studio has more of this type),
and of course a bird with a long beak.
(Detail of the Anthony triptych, ~1500)
here some of the drawings UNDER the final paint layer, with fantasy colors by me.
Bosch originally planned to add some animals to the scene, like a kind of Turtle (the studio has more of this type),
and of course a bird with a long beak.
(Detail of the Anthony triptych, ~1500)
November 19, 2025 at 10:25 AM
For the interested:
here some of the drawings UNDER the final paint layer, with fantasy colors by me.
Bosch originally planned to add some animals to the scene, like a kind of Turtle (the studio has more of this type),
and of course a bird with a long beak.
(Detail of the Anthony triptych, ~1500)
here some of the drawings UNDER the final paint layer, with fantasy colors by me.
Bosch originally planned to add some animals to the scene, like a kind of Turtle (the studio has more of this type),
and of course a bird with a long beak.
(Detail of the Anthony triptych, ~1500)
WILD MAN & WOMAN
initially represent everything uncivilized (-).
From end 14c a new image of these hairy creatures emerges:
*Their purity & ignorance are idealized.
*They don't know God, so they cannot sin.
(After: Body Language-Museum Catharijneconvent.)
Bosch painted 1 or 2,
here on Garden work.
initially represent everything uncivilized (-).
From end 14c a new image of these hairy creatures emerges:
*Their purity & ignorance are idealized.
*They don't know God, so they cannot sin.
(After: Body Language-Museum Catharijneconvent.)
Bosch painted 1 or 2,
here on Garden work.
November 18, 2025 at 3:28 PM
WILD MAN & WOMAN
initially represent everything uncivilized (-).
From end 14c a new image of these hairy creatures emerges:
*Their purity & ignorance are idealized.
*They don't know God, so they cannot sin.
(After: Body Language-Museum Catharijneconvent.)
Bosch painted 1 or 2,
here on Garden work.
initially represent everything uncivilized (-).
From end 14c a new image of these hairy creatures emerges:
*Their purity & ignorance are idealized.
*They don't know God, so they cannot sin.
(After: Body Language-Museum Catharijneconvent.)
Bosch painted 1 or 2,
here on Garden work.
“There’s something creepy about this place.
I’ve been pierced by an arrow, but it doesn’t hurt.
Am I dreaming?”
“(Don’t tell him yet…)”
I’ve been pierced by an arrow, but it doesn’t hurt.
Am I dreaming?”
“(Don’t tell him yet…)”
November 18, 2025 at 10:24 AM
“There’s something creepy about this place.
I’ve been pierced by an arrow, but it doesn’t hurt.
Am I dreaming?”
“(Don’t tell him yet…)”
I’ve been pierced by an arrow, but it doesn’t hurt.
Am I dreaming?”
“(Don’t tell him yet…)”
CATTAILS
were depicted on Bosch’works a few times;
ILL.: Last Judgment outside.
*They can be Arma Christi (Reed).
Author De Bruyn says that a mostly evil connotation has to do with them being a form of >Reed;
*they are connoted with the brevity and fragility of human life and of earthly vanities.
were depicted on Bosch’works a few times;
ILL.: Last Judgment outside.
*They can be Arma Christi (Reed).
Author De Bruyn says that a mostly evil connotation has to do with them being a form of >Reed;
*they are connoted with the brevity and fragility of human life and of earthly vanities.
November 17, 2025 at 10:30 AM
CATTAILS
were depicted on Bosch’works a few times;
ILL.: Last Judgment outside.
*They can be Arma Christi (Reed).
Author De Bruyn says that a mostly evil connotation has to do with them being a form of >Reed;
*they are connoted with the brevity and fragility of human life and of earthly vanities.
were depicted on Bosch’works a few times;
ILL.: Last Judgment outside.
*They can be Arma Christi (Reed).
Author De Bruyn says that a mostly evil connotation has to do with them being a form of >Reed;
*they are connoted with the brevity and fragility of human life and of earthly vanities.
WHAT ABOUT THE SINGING FIGURE
on Bosch’s Anthony work?
*It always makes me think that it’s caught in a Duck trap.
At bottom some traps & baskets in trad. designs in Brabant’s wet Biesbosch region.
*A wilder idea I had, is that it hints at a famous contemporary Utrecht female hermit/songwriter.
on Bosch’s Anthony work?
*It always makes me think that it’s caught in a Duck trap.
At bottom some traps & baskets in trad. designs in Brabant’s wet Biesbosch region.
*A wilder idea I had, is that it hints at a famous contemporary Utrecht female hermit/songwriter.
November 16, 2025 at 9:32 PM
WHAT ABOUT THE SINGING FIGURE
on Bosch’s Anthony work?
*It always makes me think that it’s caught in a Duck trap.
At bottom some traps & baskets in trad. designs in Brabant’s wet Biesbosch region.
*A wilder idea I had, is that it hints at a famous contemporary Utrecht female hermit/songwriter.
on Bosch’s Anthony work?
*It always makes me think that it’s caught in a Duck trap.
At bottom some traps & baskets in trad. designs in Brabant’s wet Biesbosch region.
*A wilder idea I had, is that it hints at a famous contemporary Utrecht female hermit/songwriter.
VISUAL RHYME ON BOSCH’S GARDEN TRIPTYCH
On the left and center panel are two identical scenes:
figures (birds resp. humans) going into a giant egg.
Does it mean that nothing changes,
or more likely that mankind in the Love Garden regresses?!
(Ca.1500AD. At the Prado museum.)
On the left and center panel are two identical scenes:
figures (birds resp. humans) going into a giant egg.
Does it mean that nothing changes,
or more likely that mankind in the Love Garden regresses?!
(Ca.1500AD. At the Prado museum.)
November 15, 2025 at 10:15 AM
VISUAL RHYME ON BOSCH’S GARDEN TRIPTYCH
On the left and center panel are two identical scenes:
figures (birds resp. humans) going into a giant egg.
Does it mean that nothing changes,
or more likely that mankind in the Love Garden regresses?!
(Ca.1500AD. At the Prado museum.)
On the left and center panel are two identical scenes:
figures (birds resp. humans) going into a giant egg.
Does it mean that nothing changes,
or more likely that mankind in the Love Garden regresses?!
(Ca.1500AD. At the Prado museum.)
As contra-figure to Baby Jesus stands a strange king in the door on Hieronymus Bosch’s Magi triptych at the Prado museum. ~1500AD.
He’s ambiguous, both a parody on the Man of Sorrows AND the antichrist, symbol of Evil.
The painter was able to understand & combine intricate relations in his symbols.
He’s ambiguous, both a parody on the Man of Sorrows AND the antichrist, symbol of Evil.
The painter was able to understand & combine intricate relations in his symbols.
November 14, 2025 at 11:16 AM
As contra-figure to Baby Jesus stands a strange king in the door on Hieronymus Bosch’s Magi triptych at the Prado museum. ~1500AD.
He’s ambiguous, both a parody on the Man of Sorrows AND the antichrist, symbol of Evil.
The painter was able to understand & combine intricate relations in his symbols.
He’s ambiguous, both a parody on the Man of Sorrows AND the antichrist, symbol of Evil.
The painter was able to understand & combine intricate relations in his symbols.
Painter Hieronymus Bosch was a sharp observer of nature, aside his fantasy constructs!
Notice how he distinguishes several corvids. Sometimes he was the first person who depicted a specific animal type.
Notice how he distinguishes several corvids. Sometimes he was the first person who depicted a specific animal type.
November 14, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Painter Hieronymus Bosch was a sharp observer of nature, aside his fantasy constructs!
Notice how he distinguishes several corvids. Sometimes he was the first person who depicted a specific animal type.
Notice how he distinguishes several corvids. Sometimes he was the first person who depicted a specific animal type.
“Yes, I know it’s hard labor, ploughing this land.
But even in Purgatory we follow the Scripture!”
But even in Purgatory we follow the Scripture!”
November 13, 2025 at 10:34 AM
“Yes, I know it’s hard labor, ploughing this land.
But even in Purgatory we follow the Scripture!”
But even in Purgatory we follow the Scripture!”
Bosch certainly knew about Indulgences because his own Confraternity, of which he was a rare sworn member, was allowed to issue official Indulgences by permission of some ten bishops, dd. 1335.
November 12, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Bosch certainly knew about Indulgences because his own Confraternity, of which he was a rare sworn member, was allowed to issue official Indulgences by permission of some ten bishops, dd. 1335.
I had a hunch:
can it be that some of the "official documents" with a red shellac seal on Bosch's works, are also INDULGENCES? Besides the famous Nun-scene in Afterlife on the Garden work, at TOP.
F.i. on the Last Judgment’s bridge scene, BOTTOM L:
will an Indulgence be handed over to the official?
can it be that some of the "official documents" with a red shellac seal on Bosch's works, are also INDULGENCES? Besides the famous Nun-scene in Afterlife on the Garden work, at TOP.
F.i. on the Last Judgment’s bridge scene, BOTTOM L:
will an Indulgence be handed over to the official?
November 12, 2025 at 1:40 PM
I had a hunch:
can it be that some of the "official documents" with a red shellac seal on Bosch's works, are also INDULGENCES? Besides the famous Nun-scene in Afterlife on the Garden work, at TOP.
F.i. on the Last Judgment’s bridge scene, BOTTOM L:
will an Indulgence be handed over to the official?
can it be that some of the "official documents" with a red shellac seal on Bosch's works, are also INDULGENCES? Besides the famous Nun-scene in Afterlife on the Garden work, at TOP.
F.i. on the Last Judgment’s bridge scene, BOTTOM L:
will an Indulgence be handed over to the official?
BOSCH’S VISIONS OF THE HEREAFTER~1500
are 4 panels of a further lost polyptych, likely a Last Judgment.
The heavenly assumption of redeemed is linked to literature about cleansing spheres of souls.
Here part of the panel + the tunnel center underpainting.
Imo it shows also a Near Death Experience
are 4 panels of a further lost polyptych, likely a Last Judgment.
The heavenly assumption of redeemed is linked to literature about cleansing spheres of souls.
Here part of the panel + the tunnel center underpainting.
Imo it shows also a Near Death Experience
November 11, 2025 at 11:49 AM
BOSCH’S VISIONS OF THE HEREAFTER~1500
are 4 panels of a further lost polyptych, likely a Last Judgment.
The heavenly assumption of redeemed is linked to literature about cleansing spheres of souls.
Here part of the panel + the tunnel center underpainting.
Imo it shows also a Near Death Experience
are 4 panels of a further lost polyptych, likely a Last Judgment.
The heavenly assumption of redeemed is linked to literature about cleansing spheres of souls.
Here part of the panel + the tunnel center underpainting.
Imo it shows also a Near Death Experience
ON AN EDEN HILL IS… AN OWL!
No, it’s on this original version of Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights at the Prado indeed barely visible.
But we have the copy presumably by the workshop, at the Escorial, and it is better on this detail; RIGHT.
Dates ~1500, resp.
~1510 or 2nd quarter 15c.
No, it’s on this original version of Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights at the Prado indeed barely visible.
But we have the copy presumably by the workshop, at the Escorial, and it is better on this detail; RIGHT.
Dates ~1500, resp.
~1510 or 2nd quarter 15c.
November 11, 2025 at 8:13 AM
ON AN EDEN HILL IS… AN OWL!
No, it’s on this original version of Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights at the Prado indeed barely visible.
But we have the copy presumably by the workshop, at the Escorial, and it is better on this detail; RIGHT.
Dates ~1500, resp.
~1510 or 2nd quarter 15c.
No, it’s on this original version of Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights at the Prado indeed barely visible.
But we have the copy presumably by the workshop, at the Escorial, and it is better on this detail; RIGHT.
Dates ~1500, resp.
~1510 or 2nd quarter 15c.
TREE-MEN & OTHERS WITH BRANCHES
can be found several times in Hieronymus Bosch’ oeuvre of ca.1500AD.
*They are all demonic
*16c Rhetoricians called sinners “barren trees” and
“withered branches”
*it has a link to biblical passages like Luke 23:31 etc.
can be found several times in Hieronymus Bosch’ oeuvre of ca.1500AD.
*They are all demonic
*16c Rhetoricians called sinners “barren trees” and
“withered branches”
*it has a link to biblical passages like Luke 23:31 etc.
November 10, 2025 at 10:52 AM
TREE-MEN & OTHERS WITH BRANCHES
can be found several times in Hieronymus Bosch’ oeuvre of ca.1500AD.
*They are all demonic
*16c Rhetoricians called sinners “barren trees” and
“withered branches”
*it has a link to biblical passages like Luke 23:31 etc.
can be found several times in Hieronymus Bosch’ oeuvre of ca.1500AD.
*They are all demonic
*16c Rhetoricians called sinners “barren trees” and
“withered branches”
*it has a link to biblical passages like Luke 23:31 etc.
On center of Bosch’s Anthony,
groups move to disturb the Saint.
F.i. one gang is a horrifying lynching mob.
But THIS ONE is laughable:
*sworded demon already in a criminal’s basket
*Horse Skull Man playing harp
*on a plucked goose
*scared/dead helpers
*a donkey
*a bird hinting at Christ’s Passion.
groups move to disturb the Saint.
F.i. one gang is a horrifying lynching mob.
But THIS ONE is laughable:
*sworded demon already in a criminal’s basket
*Horse Skull Man playing harp
*on a plucked goose
*scared/dead helpers
*a donkey
*a bird hinting at Christ’s Passion.
November 9, 2025 at 2:10 PM
On center of Bosch’s Anthony,
groups move to disturb the Saint.
F.i. one gang is a horrifying lynching mob.
But THIS ONE is laughable:
*sworded demon already in a criminal’s basket
*Horse Skull Man playing harp
*on a plucked goose
*scared/dead helpers
*a donkey
*a bird hinting at Christ’s Passion.
groups move to disturb the Saint.
F.i. one gang is a horrifying lynching mob.
But THIS ONE is laughable:
*sworded demon already in a criminal’s basket
*Horse Skull Man playing harp
*on a plucked goose
*scared/dead helpers
*a donkey
*a bird hinting at Christ’s Passion.