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Bosch's Garden of Delights
by Lynn Englar
page 3 - Conclusion
The theories of each author extracts elements from the entire triptych to
demonstrate consistency in the artist's intent. The right wing depicting
hell is used for validation of their interpretations by incorporating
the iconography of this panel with the scenes from the left and center
panels. Those who feel that Bosch was pessimistic say this panel shows
the disasters awaiting mankind (Gardner, 525) and Synder accurately observes
that there is no heaven (Snyder, 1973, 217). Copplestone describes many
of the symbols such as the knife between the two large ears and the egg
as sexually oriented (Copplestone, 61). The alchemy theory presented by
Dixon, interprets these as "symbolism of . . . the alchemical purification
stage" (Dixon, 61).
The contradictions regarding this scene, as well as the entire piece,
happen when the scholars attempt to establish Bosch's motivation and inspiration.
Some feel that Bosch, who painted in the alla prima style, was representing
his dreams and fantasies (Snyder,1973, 48). de Tolnay says that Bosch
represents himself as the "corpulent man in the attitude of melancholy
sits with closed eyes about the abyss;... his soul is the place of the
thousand agonies and the thousands torments " (Ibid, 1973, 60). The
creatures that Bosch painted are considered by most as imaginary and symbolic
(Ibid, 1973, 48). Dixon says there is evidence that many of the animals
represented were actually thought to exist (Dixon, 43).
The amount of literature written on this one altarpiece is too extensive
to cover in a brief semester or to be appropriately analyzed in the limited
framework of this report. With all the varying opinions, however, it was
Dixon's writings that correlate each symbol and scene through the alchemist's
philosophy that have been the most persuasive for me. Her understanding
of alchemy has enabled her to interpret each aspect of this piece with
an identifiable element within alchemy, much more extensive than I am
able to present here. Though each scholar presents a strong case, they
all speculate about many of the individual elements in Garden of Delights.
Alchemy is the only theory that specifically identifies each item with
an apparently logical explanation.
The one thing that is undisputed about Bosch is that he was a gifted artist.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about Bosch was his ability to attract
attention with his imagery. This has attracted diverse interpretations
and sparked controversies for centuries. The ability to influence so many
people and allow each of them to find their own meanings within his work
indeed defines the saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
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