There is a lot we don’t know about Bosch. He did not leave any diaries, journals or record of information about himself. We can only estimate when he was born and died. He didn’t date his paintings. There is even some mystery to which paintings can be accredited to him.
What we do know is that his father, grandfather and uncles were all painters, so it is assumed that one of them taught Bosch to paint. We can also determine that he was well educated based on the knowledge he displays in his paintings.
In his time, religion was still a major theme in painting. Artists stuck to painting reality & truth and venturing into the unknown or imaginary was not yet a thing; until Bosch came along.
The theme of religion was still present and heavily influential in Bosch’s paintings, but he took his own interpretation and imagination into it. Filled with symbolism, absurdity, and portrayals of the inner world and subconscious, his paintings were, to say it simply: different. Hieronymus Bosch is considered a revolutionary in his creation of beings and realms unknown to humans.
Bosch was a popular artist throughout Europe and received many commissions. Many people enjoyed and imitated his work. His fame definitely began during or very shortly after his lifetime.
His most famous painting, The Garden of Earthly Delights, has influenced many modern artists, designers and musicians. There have been songs, fashion collections and theatre/dance productions inspired by the piece.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hieronymus_Bosch
https://www.theartstory.org/artist/bosch-hieronymus/life-and-legacy/#biography_header
http://mentalfloss.com/article/83945/8-bizarre-facts-about-hieronymous-bosch
Sandrine,
Good work on both Bellini and Bosch. Two distinctly unique artists. You can see the Venetian style in Bellini’s work where colour took precedent line and drawing. I really appreciated the nod to Bosch’s influence on modern culture as well.
Jeff