Exploration of areas of the 'horrific'
Hieronymus Bosch's
pictures have always fascinated viewers, but in earlier centuries it was
widely assumed that his diabolic scenes were intended merely to amuse or
titillate, most people regarded him as "the inventor of monsters and chimeras."
Philip II, though, collected his works more for education than for
entertainment. A Dutch art historian in the early 17th century described
Bosch's paintings chiefly as "wondrous and strange fantasies" often less
pleasant than gruesome to look at'. In the 20th century, however, scholars
decided that Bosch's art has a more profound significance, and there have
been many attempts to explain its origins and meaning. Some writers saw
him as a sort of 15th century surrealist and linked his name with that
of Salvator Dali. For others, Bosch's art reflects mysterious practices
of the Middle Ages. No matter what explanation and comprehension of his
art might be, Bosch remains the most extravagant painter of his time.
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