Garden of Earthly Delights (detail central panel);

This enigmatic triptych displaying a visionary world of bright colors and fantastical creatures has long puzzled scholars. The three panels seem to represent a progression through Christian history: from innocence in the Garden of Eden in the left wing, to worldly and amorous pursuits found in the days of Noah depicted in the center, ending with a scene of Bosch’s own day represented as a hellish nightmare. Bosch’s mysterious personal symbolism is manifested in the bizarre settings, activities and figures, and makes this a unique representation of Paradise, Mortality and Hell. This particular... Mehr ...