The Weirdest Painting Ever: Hieronymus Bosch, The Garden of Earthly Delights, c.1490-1510

[@izzieweitman2338]

Absolutely one of my favorite pieces of art ever

[@DonnaleaSpencer]

If it weren't for medieval Europe not discovering Australia or Tasmania for a couple hundred more years, I'd swear the duck thing reading the book is a platypus and the two legged dog thing is a kangaroo.

[@laurenetong9654]

Haha I thought the same 😁

[@CeasefireNow2024]

I thought the 2 legged dog was a kangaroo too!

[@violet.senderhauf2187]

@@CeasefireNow2024 maybe they were, its just that so much information from that time was distorted and mixed with legends and on top of that undermined by historians that shaped views of history to their political agendas that you automatically think that places like Australia were not known by medieval white folks. Have you heard of the cocaine mummies of Egypt? I know that sounds like a joke, but it's not.

[@truder55]

weirdly in the rh panel, of The Haywain near the bottom by a fish with legs eating a person 😋 is a Kiwi, no one from Europe had been to New Zealand yet so great guess.

[@hippopotaman075]

Same🤔🌏

[@walterbriggs272]

I’m glad she said,” I don’t know.” Too many say what opinions they promote and lead astray listeners. These paintings deserve unbiased exploration, to unravel what was our past.

[@debramoss2267]

Huge challenge when it is mostly a conveyance of feelings isn't it. 'When Did You Last See Your Father?' and 'The Triumph of The Innocents' are overwhelming when the context is understood.

[@Hollowelldena70]

“Fun with fruit” You really crack me up. I wish my art teacher would’ve been this funny and interesting. Thanks

[@thalamay]

Random fact: The best guess at a giraffe is actually a copy of a woodcut of a giraffe from a travel log by Bernhard von Breydenbach who published an account of his pilgrimage to Jerusalem and into Egypt in 1486. it was a major commercial success during the early days of book printing and a calculated one. What made this book so special were the many woodcuts of foreign places, peoples and animals. To achieve that, von Breydenbach brought an artist with him on the trip with the specific intention of creating a best seller. I think the artist‘s name was Erwin Reuwich if I remember correctly. Anyway, the book sold like hotcakes all over Europe and clearly Hieronymus Bosch had access to a copy of it, given that his giraffe is basically a 1-to-1 copy. The more you know…

[@christybirling3299]

This makes M.C. Escher's painting look positively belle epoque.

[@LuvHrtZ]

One of the world's greatest masterpieces bar none.

[@giovannamoro8564]

Your glowing skin and gourgeous eyes are as capturing as these amazing paintings . Both are fantastic wonders to look at . Ciao from venice italy

[@marinoviskovic7083]

from where if not from Italy could possibly come such a charming compliment...parole,parole,parole...as great Mina sings

[@bethliebman8169]

Was just at the Prado last month and spent some time with this painting and others by Bosch. Great, informative video.

[@bellbookcandle3051]

Name dropper...😕 Seriously, I'm sure it was wonderful! It's been on my wish list for a long time. 😏👍

[@Foxglove963]

@@bellbookcandle3051 Visiting the Prado is a jaw dropping experience, it is fabulous. Bosch paintings were avidly collected by the kings of Spain.

[@kathyolney4083]

How interesting!! You surely had safe fun with it!! Love your description of the animals and the people. That is the beauty of art, we get to interpret what we see, and there is so much to see here. Thanks!!💫

[@b.f.2461]

Wow, I’d never seen the doors to the triptych before, quite stunning!

[@matthewwagner47]

Correct this painting has deep meaning and is very unusual. Watched a video on this painting that was much more in-depth. Never seen the grey empty world with the pannels closed before. This is one of my favorite paintings.

[@10538overture]

Guessing the butt-music is played on a wind instrument. I'll get me coat.

[@chamuuemura5314]

Don’t go! That joke was a blast! It’s a real gas! I mean it passed mus… Anyway, Tootle loo 😉

[@liv03223]

i think my favorite conspiracy about this painting is that there was a fungus called ergot that caused hallucinations, pain, and even limbs falling off (as shown in the right panel on the monster with the knight helmet and a foot hanging off the back) that commonly grew in bread. ergot is also the fungus that was synthesized and is a component in LSD; so some have theorized that given ergot was common in bread that he basically painted the entire piece on acid and if that's the case i think it makes the painting that much more interesting.

[@deborahberger5816]

Poor ergot! I've seen argot blamed for all manner of nastiness, when knowledge of the real culprit is at large.

[@ezgisukocakaya9137]

Did you know this story's "salem witch trials" side? You should definitely read....

[@johnkochen7264]

The flowers in the butt were to signify that his gaseous expulsions were not malodorous. Edit: The Dutch for “bird hunting” is “vogelen” which, in the vernacular, is also a slang expression for copulating.

[@ezgisukocakaya9137]

Watching it high...like.....FROM NOW ON, I LOVE ART HISTORY.....I saw this painting in madrid and when i came back home i immediately watched this ...Glad i did...Narrators style was a cherry on top too❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@pradeepacharya5943]

Simply,mind blowing work!Amazed at the immensity!

[@Afro408]

I have the book, with his paintings and lots of information. I love it and every time I look, I find new things in the paintings. Let’s face it, Bosh (as we say downunda) was as mad as a cut snake! 🤣 But his paintings are beautiful. 👍👏👏👏🥃🥃 Thanks.

[@Foxglove963]

Tony Small. Bosch was a fine artist with much insight in society and the world. The beer you drink contains a minor amount of hallucinogens. What makes you believe Bosch was mad? Better wise up and point your finger at Poetin the Real Mad Hatter.

[@lisastone2324]

Hey, Art Doctor! Just discovered your channel & this presentation. I definitely enjoy your narrative, especially since you don't lapse into technical art terms, but rather use clear comprehensible English! Also, appreciate that you handled some of the seemingly bizarre subject matter in a straightforward way, but without any lurid overtones. Not an easy balance to strike, considering the subject! All in all, fascinating topic -- as is everything associated with Mr. Bosch. The only thing that I would alter (if I had the skills & knowledge to make a similar video), is your concluding statement. Where you end with the thought that "It was convenient..." that the painting conformed to the Church's liturgical teachings, I would disagree. I believe that H. Bosch was an undeniable artistic genius, but in his own private (religious) beliefs, more in the nature of a non-believing Hedonist. Therefore, he had to find a way to "have his cake and eat it too," or he would have lost sponsorship of his artwork from the power structure of the Church and monarchy. Bosch painted what he wanted, but included enough Biblical imagery so that the viewer would see whichever view reflected his/her own orthodoxy. In other words, a Heathen (confirmed non-Believer by choice) would be most attracted to the bizarre images and sinful acts depicted. Whereas, a well-educated Christian would be rather disgusted with some of the imagery, but ultimately satisfied that Sin in it's entirety was shown as debased and properly punished by God. This way, the Church can display a visual lesson on the wages of Sin. Pretty simple, really. Everyone sees in the painting what most closely reflects their own spiritual faith -- or lack thereof. I believe THAT is the "hidden joke" that you referenced! Anyway, that's my best guess. {Also, that the Netherlands has probably been importing recreational drugs for longer than anyone realizes; but that's a whole different topic!} Thanks for the great video! ♡

[@cdayperry2701]

I enjoyed this content and glad you opted to skim over some parts. You are lovely and I like the room you film in! TY from Washington state

[@chuckcribbs3398]

Can’t believe you don’t have more subs. Great channel!

[@zelousfoxtrot3390]

For some bizarre reason, they had a copy of this in my town's library near the restrooms. Seriously, the fact that no one had freaked out in the 80s about this thing...

[@TheMonolake]

What i find really interesting is how this painting came through the centuries unscathed how it was protected somehow..rich patrons ? The history of its travels would be really amazing

[@143Trin]

Your videos are amazing! With this level of quality, your abundance is inevitable, cant wait to see what you put out in the future!

[@1oolabob]

In the drawing of Bosch, he has kind eyes. That really seems like a good starting point for me to understand his artwork; I'm going to think of this artist as a kind-hearted person who would always try to make his art an act of kindness. See what I'm working with here? I'm going to look at The Garden of Earthly Delights, and find kindness in it.

[@1oolabob]

I probably shouldn't, but...there are lessons in practical spirituality to be had in asking honest questions about religion and sexual morality. Sex is built into our bodies, and being sexual into our emotional makeup...and we are free moral agents who make choices on our own, as best we can. What if sexuality is our path to loving? If we value love, we will treat sex as a sacred rite of love. Sexual morality then becomes the way to keep love in following the desires of our bodies. This is not about any commandments or pronouncements of churchmen as to what they think about what is or isn't proper sexual morality; disconnecting love from sexuality makes sex vulgar and dirty, but letting sex be a rite of love makes it a sacred space. To love and to be loved elevates a human spirit. To be used for sex injures a person's sense of being lovable, and to be someone who uses others for sex while withholding love results in a closed heart. If--as the famous Bible verse says--God IS Love, then our connection to the Great Sacredness and indeed the purpose of our lives is to love. Think of what our world would be if all the people had love in their hearts. It would be heaven on earth. And a world incapable of love is hell on earth. This is the inner message of religions that has gotten lost along the way. Lots of hateful things have been done in the names of religions, and religion has fallen out of favor with the people. I will just quote the smallest particle of scriptural ideas here: the first words of the first commandment as received by Moses: "Thou shalt love...."

[@Foxglove963]

@@1oolabob As soon as the Church became established as the primal dealer of Abrahamic mythology begotten by a Bronze Age tribe in the Middle Eastern desert it removed everyone's liberties and freedom, reducing the people to serfs and slavery. This is condoned by their holy book, the bible, stipulating that the slave must be circumcised to prove them being a servant of the Abrahamic god. Anyone who voiced an opinion or questioned the branwashing and innings of tenths to built more abbeys and churches was publicly humiliated, tortured, and murdered. This was followed by many religious wars in which the Church fought over land so that by the 14th century they owned half of all the land in Europe. The Church is a criminal organisation which rapes children, their bodies are now being discovered on land owned by religious fanatics.

[@l.a.raustadt518]

Very creative artist. Thanks Doc, hungry for some blueberries now. All that art made me hungry!

[@jimh1656]

Thanks for the info and opinions. I wake up at 2am and can’t sleep, KZbin puts your video in my feed and I watch it. It’s great!! No doubt it will be the highlight of my day. I’m subscribing to your channel. Keep up the great work.

[@noolie622]

Hi, thanks for featuring this incredible work. If nothing, it's fascinating. Loved your fun attitude too. 😊🇬🇧

[@fredneecher1746]

I saw a Bosch triptych in the Museo Prado in Madrid. It was fantastic! You can't believe the colours and the realism (if that's the right word for - whatever is going on here). Nothing beats seeing these works up close and personal. Thanks, Doc, for your interesting and informative guide. By the way, the music sounds appropriately on the edge of madness.

[@WHACK_space_rock]

Well done video, with all the pertinent links...thanks, very enjoyable ...!

[@irislorikeet4287]

I traveled to Madrid just to see this painting. I was charmed, horrified and had many emotions while contemplating as to what he was trying to say. Your fantastic showing of the triptych with the two possible meanings are simple the most enjoyable and probably explanation. By the way have you seen it with your own eyes? Absolutely nothing compares to standing in front of it.

[@KassandraFuria13]

I did, 48 years ago . One whole day I spent only with this painting and could have spent more. Never forget the strange and deep emotions I was feeling. Most impressive painting I saw in my life and I visited all famous museums in Europe. Enjoyed the Video very much , rising memories of that day in the Prado long ago.

[@ezgisukocakaya9137]

We went to the museum and we had 1 hour remaining till close time. We "accidentaly" spend last 55 minutes to stare at this painting.....:))) ❤️❤️❤️ amazing in real life........

[@TheGoldenAngel82]

You make the best videos, I SO enjoy watching them all! Keep up the good work

[@douglasevans4789]

Doc you missed one title ,nut this is a better off forgotten attempt at Art I know it's priceless. You and I are priceless it's a eye of the beholder

[@KrushKrew]

Hi I just found your channel and what's the best way to put this..... Your Awesome!!!!!! Very detailed and down to earth no need for over the top shenanigans and what not. I really enjoy your deep knowledge on the subjects you are speaking about. Keep it up😀😃

[@dorotawilliams4028]

Fascinating painting. Thank you for your podcast.

[@sharonmedeiros9819]

I can't believe that painting exists, or that you made me laugh out loud about it. That's not easy to do as I don't laugh out loud easily, so good on you. Also, Im pretty astonished that people would have so much fun sticking flower stems up their butt, but there you have it. I guess I'm not that adventurous...

[@maureenmin]

I just found you and I am enjoying your videos A LOT!. Great content! and a great sense of humor! thank you.

[@TheArtDoctor]

Aww, thank you so much!!

[@tombuffumjr1509]

Bosch to me the best artist of all time. I was first aquatinted to him in high school and thought this is art of the mind. His thought prosses is larger than the mind of most of the people of his time. Free to interrupt as you can and forever to not interrupt as he painted it to me that is what surrealist do

[@Foxglove963]

As in psychedelic art, shamanic art.

[@barronmaxxx2991]

I must confess...Just before covid my life had taken many tragic turns and spinouts and complete mulit crashes...my Mum died, my partner's Irish twin (they were 11 months apart) suddenly became ill and in less than 8 months became so jaundiced she turned a blackish grey color due to self tanning lotion she was using just prior to illness....I was a well known actor in the 90s and early 2000s and leaving all that bells and whistles life to lead a path I knew would be not my own but, as a man of honor and raised by my grandmother I took on that role and fully embraced it with all the pain and fear and challenges and I expected no reward, in fact when inheritance promises were mentioned I reminded my Mum and Aunt that there was more than enough savings, earnings and gifted to me by a benefactor that if she sees fit she can pay some SOME debts off that my siblings might have provided 1. they never know about any names I worked under because their contempt for me makes them appear to others as even uglier than they are and they will attempt to contact my famous ex and all these years later he is publicly and privately very alone. 2. never mention my worth for they will see fit to absorb it. 3 treat yourself Mum...I bought this home for you to relax and have nana move in and if you want I can even live on the first floor flat. My mum a childhood victim of sexual abuse at the hands of her own Uncle, her father's brother...her parents great love ended tragically and she lost her dad so young. Her trauma gripped her many times in her life by triggers and many triggers were my stepsister and brother. Donald Dump came down that tacky goldish escalator and she decline into the most rapid and violent dementia possible and in her last month regained clarity to apologize every day all day and sitting with her one morning over coffee....I saw her disappear into a stroke and she was gone, suffering with guilt at the hands of her own kids.....I've been as still as possible all of covid due to kidney disease being treated and suddenly the world closed and I waited 3 years. Few things brought me as much joy as this video did....it's brilliant, you are a great personality with an uncanny talent and flair for your stories behind your subjects. You made me laugh and to appreciate a painting new to me....I did just recently have my last tube removed from my ureter and for now, fingers crossed....I am beginning my path to wellness....bless you.

[@sm3296]

That was wonderful, I do hope you keep producing, thanks so much.

[@kirstencook1439]

🥰your sense of humor 😂 keep Rocking 🤙 the good stuff Beautiful person 🤗 👍 The 🖖 continue with your creative energy travels 🤗💚🙏💜🕊️🐇🍁🌳🍂

[@tashacherry1480]

I absolutely love this painting and think I'll be ordering a copy of it if I can. Reminds me of an album called Eat a Peach by the Allman Brothers.

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hello how are you doing?

[@kyststudio-epicartadventure]

I think that middle panel is a play on words, “be fruitful”.

[@kyststudio-epicartadventure]

Another cool thing about his work is that the foliage is species specific.

[@wasteddude9387]

I've always been a fan of the stories behind artwork. Conclusive fact is usually obscure, but a complicated and consistent narrative is quite enjoyable. Thank you for your efforts.

[@moriscoley5328]

I have enjoyed your extensive research on this work of art and I am a new subscriber, looking forward to more insightful comments on art 🎨, very interesting.

[@Queen.AnneBoleyn]

I'm new here to your channel and I love you already. 😁 You're hilarious, but professional and I appreciate your overview of his work. It's fascinating & entertaining beyond words. Icould stare 🫣 at it forever. 🎨

[@sandraleigh4023]

Same here! I immediately felt like she was my soul sista ...

[@Foxglove963]

Hilarious? Bosch may have consumed the fly agaric, which are psychotonics, inducing a phenomenon known as micro-psia and macro-psia.

[@klausrain111]

I remember getting stoned in the 60s and staring at this painting, but I wasn't always in the mood for it. Lol.

[@nancyscott9582]

Bosch remains one of my enduring favorites, this triptych in particular.

[@tinahale9252]

I think is the first enjoyable thing on yt for a long time. I think I will subscribe. Thank you

[@aburninglandfillofbadmovie2930]

Perhaps the fruits and objects on people's heads are a symbol of what those specific people are thinking of? Similar to how a thought cloud is used in a cartoon.

[@c-hawkins4358]

Thalamay you are the reason I love to read comments. I learn something new and I can go check it out.

[@carolevans5285]

Its suck a cool painting the way it closes and opens. Amazing for the time. Love love love it. 💘

[@stephanosc6603]

I, too, have just found you, and have subscribed. Wonderful, thoughtful commentary. I started with Melancholia I, to which I have always been very attracted. I look forward to future videos. Thank you!

[@TheArtDoctor]

Thank you so much Stephanos!

[@garegardner6782]

Well now, this was very interesting. You're a very interesting expert as experts go, colorful, witty, insightful. Good job. You are definitely interesting to listen to.

[@Eyologist1]

I like your interpretation. It's more natural and understandable. There is nothing inherently "wrong" or "immoral" about the body---despite what certain religious characters have told us. Thank you for your good work. Blessings.

[@oldgringo2001]

This was a really popular image in the Psychedelic Sixties. I've never seen the real thing, but I have seen The Hay Wagon. It was in the Escorial, at the foot of the tiny cot Philip II of Spain slept in.

[@larrykehl5300]

My first sighting of Bosch's work was back in '69 at the Keesler AFB BX when I picked up, and bought, the newly released "Deep Purple" (aka Deep Purple 3) album - a portion of the "hell" panel was used for the cover art. It definitely grabbed my attention and made me go do some research at the base library.

[@thatminari]

I discovered this painting trough the group red velvet because in on of their mvs they represent this painting. Now it’s my favorite painting I loooove the color choices!

[@pityparty9955]

The demon Crowley (Good Omens) says: That Hieronymus Bosch, What a weirdo. I must agree.

[@kleorhoades2362]

I’ve always been fascinated by this painting! Good to know there is an explanation that makes some kind of sense! I always thought the painter must have been on drugs or came up with it in a fever dream. Even if he wasn’t an Adamite himself he probably knew about them. Thanks for the info!!

[@kgraham5820]

Bosch himself probably couldn’t tell you what it all means.

[@railkale]

I enjoyed that! Wish it was longer.

[@BPantherPink]

Wonderfully made video Nancy...think i saw you somewhere in the painting 😝

[@QuizPubUK]

I love these incredibly elaborate paintings, hours of fun discoveries.

[@bobconnor1210]

You get a well-deserved like for your excellent presentation and interesting interpretation. Not because you said so, Doc. Well done. I’ve considered Bosch’s probable access to opium.

[@sandracid4987]

I'm so happy to have found you!

[@terencebarrett2897]

Absolutely brilliant, its fascinating, the whole video,the beautiful lady presenter, I really enjoyed her knowledge ,absolutely wonderful,

[@seangelarden8753]

Guy with flowers up his butt says " Read the card!"

[@mcnowski]

The first panel represents mankind before we were corrupted with sin, perfect and eternal. The second panel represents where we are now, the Earth, living with sin and heading towards death. The third panel is Hell, where we all go if we are not saved by renouncing sin.

[@TK-vk3vz]

I had this as a poster in my room during high school.. wish I could find it again. ( May have been tower records ) in the 70s

[@emilypayne8394]

I wonder whether the strawberries are a clue, actually. In medieval Christian symbolism, strawberries represented virtue (which is why we have the Madonna of the Strawberries, which might be interesting to look at another time; or Nancy, if you look at the blue-and-gold festal vestments at St. Mary's you'll see strawberries worked into the brocade, for that exact reason). So if the garden of earthly delights is full of giant virtue-fruits... ? Just a thought!

[@TheArtDoctor]

I'm so sorry I missed this- I think you may be onto something here!! Another clue that Bosch was an Adamite!

[@karyna2824]

EXCELLENT!!! Thank you very much.

[@SearchfortheMeaning]

What is this thorn and Cresent motif??? Is that flower a sort of poppy?

[@pattiepitts5893]

Dang just found your channel! Super interesting more plz

[@fnersch3367]

I cant imagine this being done anywhere else in Europe during this time.

[@eliothowell8654]

Fascinating. I just wish that the video was longer as there are so many images that could be expanded on. Thanks.

[@sandraleigh4023]

What a fantastic narration!! He was undoubtedly brilliant, but is he just weird or is he the first person to discover magic mushrooms?? LOL!!

[@Foxglove963]

Going by rock engravings and paintings on rock walls the mushrooms have been appreciated for at least 10.000 years ago. In the middle ages they were demonised a process still upheld today, unabated.

[@sandraleigh4023]

@@Foxglove963 You are way too serious right now. Please look at comments with more of a sense of humor.

[@Lazarus7000]

Having seen a few Soviet films where there's definitely a dual narrative of "here's the obvious anti-capitalist message for the consumption of the Soviet government and here's the anti-Soviet message for everyone else" I can definitely get behind your reading of it.

[@mencken8]

Saw it in the Prado a number of years ago; surrealism 300 years early.

[@ArtReviews]

As much as the central panel may be supposed to act as a warning, it does look like quite a lot of fun to be fair. Apart from the flowers up the butt part, I'll give that bit a miss.

[@TheArtDoctor]

Well, he was the only guy out of the whole crowd, so maybe it was just his preference? ;-) (I agree, it does look fun!!)

[@wash3141]

@@TheArtDoctor perhaps a reference to homosexuality?

[@mau_lopez]

Great video, I found the subject and analysis super-interesting and I enjoyed the narrative very much. All the links in the description are a very welcome add. Great work!

[@andrzejmaranda3699]

The Art Doctor: SOOO INTERESTING!

[@alandoren4953]

I liked this video, fun narration. >Thank you.

[@jamesmcallister5494]

Love it ,,I want a print,,There should be a shop around town that has one.

[@Jkk55]

I find it fascinating! thank you

[@effdonahue6595]

Hey Betty Boop! Woop!!🎃

[@scottmckenna9164]

I've been waiting for this!

[@georgewilkie3580]

Child like scribbling. And, this frivolous idiocy impressed you. Amazing!

[@updownstate]

My father would have loved this, even more than I do. Subscribed. Thank you.

[@alflyover4413]

"It's very distracting". That had me laughing right out loud.

[@stevenleslie8557]

Painting is not about sex. It's about sin. But I know where you are going with that. :) Thanks for showing this. I think you have some good insights.

[@Kiro6666]

I think it’s a Beautiful piece of art work it’s Definitely Different and difficult but I can comprehend the Madness inside the Max mind of a Mad Artist

[@cherylhinojosa4791]

After watching the tragedy in Houston, it has brought me here. Christ in Limbo was unknown to me, until Travis Scott's concert. Where 8 ppl officially passed and thousands injured

[@TheArtDoctor]

So incredibly sad. Sometimes things just don't make sense.

[@pcas96]

It is relaxing to me an amazing insight into the mind

[@evelynsaungikar3553]

Of all the fruits portrayed in the second panel, there seems to be no apple? Of all the fruits the Dutch are known for? As well as the garden of Eden? Possibly a conspicuous absence?

[@andrzejmaranda3699]

The Art Doctor: this video is SOOO INTERESTING!

[@barneyrubble1431]

that looks like a photograph I took when I was dreaming and asleep,, and I never painted that picture either, how did you get it?,, I have a copyright in my head too!

[@fosholyfe6115]

I really appreciate this, I'm going to pull my Bosch tarot decc bacc out now lol

[@reginagaughan-kassery4575]

When I was first introduced to Hieronymus Bosch's paintings I thought it was painted by someone on an Acid trip...

[@iggyzorro2406]

maybe the left panel was earth as god intended. And as the right panel was hell, perhaps the center panel is heaven: just lots of good stuff - fantastical architecture, sex, eating sweets (fruit), having fun and laughing at people acting silly like putting things on their heads (fruit). I really enjoyed your video. thank you.

[@bigmonkey4444]

In a unrelated but fabulous topic- Your hair is so SHINY & pretty...menopause hormones have taken the shine out of my hair, skin..& soul Lol

[@user-dq2ym1nn9k]

I'v just found my new favourite channel!!!!