7/28/2019 Hieronymus Bosch Biography

1/2

Bio: Hieronymus Bosch

(1450-1516)

Hieronymus Bosch (c1450-1516) was one of the late great medieval

Dutch painters. Very little is known of his life, religious beliefs, or

philosophy, but he is most well known for his painting of fantastic

images and for his concentration of medieval symbols. Many scholars

have tried to interpret the images and symbols in his paintings, but

these interpretations often disagree with one another, resulting inspeculations that are often contradictory. Thus, these images and

symbols continue to fascinate and puzzle us today as the search for

their meaning continues.

Jeroen Anthoniszoon van Aken (Bosch's orginal name) was born in 's

Hertogenbosch in present-day Holland, near the Belgium border

around 1450. It is assumed that his name "jheronymus" was chosen

due to the family fondness for the patron Saint Hieronymous (St

Jerome). Apparently, he used his town's name Bosch to identify anddistinguish himself from the rest of his family. Joen or Jeroen (his

more familiar names) was born as the fourth child of five into a family

of painters in the Dutch tradition, and thus probably learned his

technique from his father, Antonius van Aken, who was a professional

painter. The Aken family came from Aachen in Germany; from which

came their surname. 's Hertogenbosch is a small provincial town far

from the centers of culture; so, it seems unusual that such a great artist

lived and worked there. As an adult he became a church cleric and a

lay member of the Brotherhood of Our Lady (a Virgin-Mary cult). The

fraternity had a white swan as its emblem, which is curious considering

its sacriligious use in his paintings. Bosch married Aleid van deMeerenne, who came from a prosperous middle-class family, around

July 15, 1481.They had no children, but it is likely that he lived a

comfortable life and may have enjoyed considerable artistic freedom.

He created art that was replete with moral images and messages,

containing symbols of warning and retribution for leading an immoral

life. He died in his home town in 1516. Such important aspects as the

dating and order of his works are unknown. Even the authenticity of

many works is disputed. He had many imitators and his influence was

recognized.

7/28/2019 Hieronymus Bosch Biography

2/2

Environment. Bosch lived during a time of turbulence in western

Europe. Just before the Protestant Reformation, there was widespread

discontent with Roman Catholic clergy, who were believed to have

become corrupt and immoral. The populace was increasingly losing

respect for the moral tenets of these leaders, which, without strong

moral leadership, led them to hedonistic and greedy behavior.Heretical sects were common. In reaction, in an effort to control the

populace, Catholic Inquisitions condemned citizens as witches,

wizards, and heretics. Hangings, beheadings, and burnings-at-the-stake

became everyday public sights. Epidemics plagued the populace and

killed thousands. Bosch himself may have succumbed to one of these

epidemics. More than the printed word, art communicated moral

messages, because most people were illiterate. Images of the devil and

monsters were used as warnings and premonitions of the coming Last

Judgment, which was predicted for the year 1500. It is quite possible

that Bosch's paintings were commissioned by discontented new leaders

who had lost respect for established authorities of the Church, whichwould explain his acrid anti-clerical images.