Paradise Fountain

Paradise Fountain

By Hieronymus Bosch (ca. 1450-1519)

From the work The Garden of Earthly DelightsThis splendid exotic fountain is situated amidst a blissful paradisiacal scene. Its design is alienating, almost extraterrestrial. In the hole, placed exactly in the middle of the left panel, we can see an owl as a contemplative central figure. Placed in the forefront, Christ introduces Adam to his future wife. Bosch must have subsequently wondered whether, looking at the right panel, this was such a smart idea. Made in metal with hand-painted color details.

Dimensions: 10 in. x 3 in. x 2 in.. 1.2 lb. Made of quality resin with hand-painted color details.

ABOUT THE ARTWORK: THE GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS

crucifixion of Jesus. Hiëronymus Bosch shows us how we mortal souls, arisen from earthly paradise, are on our way to the atrocious ordeals of hell via our unchaste lives on earth. The dark painting on the closed panels shows the Creation, surrounded by water, in accordance with mediaeval traditions.

Hieronymus Bosch the world famous brilliant forerunner of surrealism was, in his day, unique and radically different. Hieronymus (Jeroen for short) Bosch was born (ca. 1450-1516) during the transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, in the Duchy of Brabant. Bosch places visionary images in a hostile world full of mysticism, with the conviction that the human being, due to its own stupidity and sinfulness has become prey to the devil himself. He holds a mirror to the world with his cerebral irony and magical symbolism, sparing no one. He aims his mocking arrows equally well at the hypocrisy of the clergy as the extravagance of the nobility and the immorality of the people. Hieronymus Bosch’s style arises from the tradition of the book illuminations (manuscript illustrations from the Middle Ages). The caricature representation of evil tones down its terrifying implications, but also serves as a defiant warning with a theological basis.