Hieronymus Bosch: Time and Transformation in The Garden of Earthly Delights

Carroll, Margaret D.

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Description: Hieronymus Bosch: Time and Transformation in The Garden of Earthly Delights

BOOKHieronymus Bosch: Time and Transformation in The Garden of Earthly Delights

Margaret D. Carroll

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00336

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-23174

Hieronymus Bosch’s (c. 1450–1516) Garden of Earthly Delights has elicited a sense of wonder for centuries. Over ten feet long and seven feet tall, it demands that we step back to take it in, while its surface, intricately covered with fantastical creatures in dazzling detail, draws us closer. In this highly original reassessment, Margaret D. Carroll reads the Garden as a speculation about the origin of the cosmos, the life-history of earth, and the transformation of humankind from the first age of world history to the last. Upending traditional interpretations of the painting as a moralizing depiction of God’s wrath, human sinfulness, and demonic agency, Carroll argues that it represents Bosch’s exploration of progressive changes in the human condition and the natural world.

Extensively researched with a robust illustration program, this groundbreaking secular analysis draws on new findings about Bosch’s idiosyncratic painting technique, his curiosity about natural history, his connections to the Burgundian court, and his experience of contemporary politics. The book offers fresh insights into the artist and his most beloved and elusive painting.

*This eBook is available exclusively on the A&AePortal.*

Author

Margaret D. Carroll

PublisherYale University Press

Print publication date August 2022 (in print)

Print ISBN 9780300255324

EISBN 9780300272604

Illustrations 186

Print Status in print

Publisher (in print)

WorldCat

Google Books

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List of illustrations

Installation view of Hieronymus Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights in the Fifth Centenary Exhibition in the Museo Nacional del Prado
Creation of the World, shutters of The Garden of Earthly Delights
Ghent Altarpiece
The Garden of Earthly Delights
Ghent Altarpiece, detail of the Adoration of the Lamb
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
Christ Presented to the People, also known as Ecce Homo
The Garden of Earthly Delights, detail of the center panel
The Garden of Earthly Delights, detail with infrared reflectogram
Roman de la rose
On the Movements of the Heavens and Weather
On the Rivers and Regions of the Earth
On Birds
On the Elements and the Humors
On Procreation
Doctors and Patients
Extraction of the Stone of Madness
Land of the Brahmans
Alexander lifted by griffins above the earth
Scenes from the Life of Alexander the Great
Mountains of the Earth
Frontispiece to Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, Livre de la l'art de chasser aux oiseaux
The Beast Acheron
Hell
Beheading of John the Baptist
Beheading of John the Baptist, detail
Beheading of John the Baptist, detail
The Martyrdom of Saint Andrew
Calligraphy and marginalia, in Prayer Book of Charles the Bold
The Garden of Earthly Delights, detail of the center panel
Neptune and Amphitrite
Storm over a Valley
Aerial Flight of Alexander the Great, in Scenes from the Life of Alexander the Great, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, wings closed, detail
The World after the Flood (the three sons of Noah on the three continents, Asia, Europe, and Africa)
View of Venice
God Enthroned, Creating Heaven and Earth
Genesis, Day 1: God Separating Light from Darkness
Genesis, Day 2: God Creating the Firmament
Genesis, Day 3: God Separating the Dry Earth from Water
Genesis, Day 3: God Separating the Dry Earth from Water
Genesis, Day 4: God Creating the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars
Genesis, Days 5 and 6: God Creating Animals of Air, Sea, and Land
God Enthroned, Creating Heaven and Earth
Day 1. Division of Light from Darkness
Day 2. Creation of the Firmaments
Day 3. Separation of Earth and Water (and of Air and Fire); Creation of Vegetation
Day 4. Creation of Sun, Moon, Planets, and Stars
Day 5. Creation of Animals in the Water and Air
Day 6. God Creates Land Animals and Adam
The Garden of Earthly Delights, wings closed, detail
Christ with Music-Making and Singing Angels, detail
Candled egg
The Garden of Earthly Delights, wings closed, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, wings closed, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, wings closed, detail
Ghent Altarpiece, Saint John the Evangelist, detail
Mass of St. Gregory, shutters of the Adoration of the Magi Triptych, wings closed
Crucifixion
The Garden of Earthly Delights, wings closed, detail
God Creating the World out of Nothing
Birth of the World
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Paradise panel (left wing)
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Paradise panel (left wing), detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Paradise panel, detail
Garden of Eden
Genesis page in Antiquitez juives, detail
Giraffe
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Paradise panel, detail
The Martyrdom of Saint Andrew, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Paradise panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Paradise panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Paradise panel, detail
Monoceros, detail
Flying Fish, detail
Zitrion (sea knight), detail
Monachus marinus (sea monk), detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Paradise panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Paradise panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Paradise panel, infrared reflectogram of detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Paradise panel, detail
Adam and Eve
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Paradise panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel
Fra Mauro Map, detail of lower left corner: Paradise
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
Book of Hours for Engelbert of Nassau
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, infrared reflectogram of detail
Maximilian I, elected emperor in 1486, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
Fetus in the Womb
Earthly Paradise
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel (right wing), detail
The Seven Angels with the Trumpet, from The Apocalypse
Last Judgment Triptych. Center panel: Apocalypse
The Garden of Earthly Delights, wings open, installed
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Paradise panel, detail
Last Judgment Triptych. Left wing, detail
Adam and Eve
Ghent Altarpiece, detail of Adam
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Paradise panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel
Ghent Altarpiece, Adoration of the Lamb
Hours of Mary of Burgundy
Hours of Mary of Burgundy
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, infrared reflectogram of detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Paradise and Garden panels, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel (right wing), detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden and Apocalypse panels, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel, detail
Hours of Mary of Burgundy, detail
Saint John on Patmos
Saint John on Patmos
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel, detail
The Torment of Unchaste Monks and Nuns, detail
Roma caput mundi
The Haywain Triptych, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel, detail
Glorification of the Virgin
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel, detail
December, detail
Abstinence Contrainte and Faux Semblant, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel (right wing), detail
Hours of Mary of Burgundy, detail
Treeman
The Garden of Earthly Delights, X-ray of Apocalypse panel
Luna
Saint Christopher
Tournament between Monkeys and Wild Men
Treeman, detail
Ship of Fools
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Paradise and Garden panels, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Garden panel, detail
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel, detail
Christ as the Man of Sorrows, detail
Self-portrait
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Apocalypse panel, detail
Children's Games
Luxuria (Lust)
Dulle Griet
Justicia (Justice)

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Contents

Margaret D. Carroll

Hieronymus Bosch: Time and Transformation in The Garden of Earthly Delights

Contents

Author

Margaret D. Carroll

PublisherYale University Press

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-23175

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Acknowledgments

Margaret D. Carroll

Hieronymus Bosch: Time and Transformation in The Garden of Earthly Delights

Acknowledgments

Author

Margaret D. Carroll

PublisherYale University Press

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-23176

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Introduction

Margaret D. Carroll

Hieronymus Bosch: Time and Transformation in The Garden of Earthly Delights

Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights in Madrid’s Museo Nacional del Prado offers its viewers the experience of looking into an alien and entrancing world...

Author

Margaret D. Carroll

PublisherYale University Press

Related print edition pages: pp.1-5

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00336.1

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-23177

Chapter subject tags:Bosch, Hieronymus, -1516. Garden of delightsTriptychsCreation in artHumanity in artApocalypse in art

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1. Bosch’s Painted World

Margaret D. Carroll

Hieronymus Bosch: Time and Transformation in The Garden of Earthly Delights

These words, inscribed in gothic letters hovering above a somber cosmic panorama on the exterior panels of The Garden of Earthly Delights, announce their theme as the creation of the world...

Author

Margaret D. Carroll

PublisherYale University Press

Related print edition pages: pp.8-31

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00336.2

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-23178

Chapter subject tags:Bosch, Hieronymus, -1516Christian art and symbolism--Renaissance, 1450-1600Panel painting, NetherlandishArt patronageIllumination of books and manuscripts, Renaissance

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2. Bosch’s Cosmogony

Margaret D. Carroll

Hieronymus Bosch: Time and Transformation in The Garden of Earthly Delights

When Alexander the Great harnessed a team of griffins to lift him in a basket high above the earth, his motive, so the medieval Roman d’Alexandre tells us, was “to see what things were in the sky and what form the earth had...

Author

Margaret D. Carroll

PublisherYale University Press

Related print edition pages: pp.34-49

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00336.3

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-23179

Chapter subject tags:Bosch, Hieronymus, -1516. Garden of delightsCreation in artChristian art and symbolism--Medieval, 500-1500Painting--Technique

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3. The Aging Earth

Margaret D. Carroll

Hieronymus Bosch: Time and Transformation in The Garden of Earthly Delights

The gloomy cosmic landscape on the exterior of the triptych’s shutters parts to reveal a dazzling panorama within, striking for its brilliant luminosity and the fantastical quality of its myriad, meticulously painted forms...

Author

Margaret D. Carroll

PublisherYale University Press

Related print edition pages: pp.53-83

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00336.4

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-23180

Chapter subject tags:Bosch, Hieronymus, -1516. Garden of delightsEden in artAnimals in artFertilityApocalypse in art

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4. Before Civilization

Margaret D. Carroll

Hieronymus Bosch: Time and Transformation in The Garden of Earthly Delights

The fertile land in the Paradise and Garden panels is inhabited by a variety of youthful nudes who variously call to mind stories of Paradise, of the Golden Age, and of early humanity before the Flood...

Author

Margaret D. Carroll

PublisherYale University Press

Related print edition pages: pp.86-105

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00336.5

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-23181

Chapter subject tags:Bosch, Hieronymus, -1516. Garden of delightsHumanity in artInterracial friendshipSex in art

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5. Bosch’s Iron Age

Margaret D. Carroll

Hieronymus Bosch: Time and Transformation in The Garden of Earthly Delights

The old age of the earth, indicated by the barren, burning terrain on the right wing of The Garden of Earthly Delights, is lodged in the historical present by a host of modern artifacts: a table, a bed, a mirror, jugs, a lantern, a key, ladders, knives, a cooking pot, a night stool, a hurdy-gurdy, and so forth...

Author

Margaret D. Carroll

PublisherYale University Press

Related print edition pages: pp.108-137

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00336.6

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-23182

Chapter subject tags:Bosch, Hieronymus, -1516. Garden of delightsChristian art and symbolism--Renaissance, 1450-1600Apocalypse in artNetherlands--HistoryMonsters in art

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Afterword: Bruegel’s Bosch

Margaret D. Carroll

Hieronymus Bosch: Time and Transformation in The Garden of Earthly Delights

I was first drawn to study Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights by the cosmic view on the triptych’s shutters...

Author

Margaret D. Carroll

PublisherYale University Press

Related print edition pages: pp.139-143

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00336.7

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-23183

Chapter subject tags:Bosch, Hieronymus, -1516. Garden of delightsTriptychsBruegel, Pieter, approximately 1525-1569Humanity in artAllegories

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