|
|
The Mirror of Man
|
|
|
|
|
The Seven Deadly Sins
c. 1480
Oil on panel, 120 x 150 cm
Museo del Prado, Madrid |
|
|
|
The human condition and humanity's ultimate fate form
the overall subject of this series of images. The central
feature, formed of four concentric rings, symbolizes the eye
of God, the pupil of which shows Christ rising from the
grave displaying the wounds of his crucifixion. The second
ring carries the message inscription Cave Cave Deus
vivit (Beware Beware God sees). The third ring is formed
of sun-like rays, while the fourth depicts the seven deadly
sins in separate panels. Banderols at top and bottom carry
Latin warning inscriptions. Of the four circular corner
images the Four Last Things - the one depicting hell is the
most revealing of Bosch's development and the deeply
disturbing creatures that he increasingly uses to identify
the torments of the human soul in its journey to almost
inevitable damnation. Internal evidence of, for instance,
dress indicates that the painting dates from around 1490,
early in Bosch's middle period. Most of the scenes are not
of the highest quality, but the message is clear and
unequivocal.
|
|
|
|
The Seven Deadly Sins (detail)
c. 1480
Museo del Prado, Madrid
|
The Seven Deadly Sins (detail)
c. 1480
Museo del Prado, Madrid
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Seven Deadly Sins (detail)
c. 1480
Museo del Prado, Madrid
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Seven Deadly Sins (detail)
c. 1480
Museo del Prado, Madrid
|
|
|
|
The Seven Deadly Sins (detail)
c. 1480
Museo del Prado, Madrid
|
|
|
|
The Seven Deadly Sins (detail)
c. 1480
Museo del Prado, Madrid
|
|
