Hieronymus Bosch, born Jheronimus van Aken, was a Dutch painter of the Early Netherlandish tradition and one of the most distinctive figures in European art. He spent almost his entire life in 's-Hertogenbosch, from which he took his artistic name, “Bosch.”
Very little is known about his life and personality. He left behind no diaries, letters, or other writings explaining the meaning of his works. Most of what we know about him comes from municipal records and the archives of the religious brotherhood to which he belonged.
His art is filled with fantastical creatures, demons, monsters, strange machines, and bizarre figures, through which he portrayed human sin, greed, lust, foolishness, and the consequences of human actions. His visual language was so personal and enigmatic that for centuries his paintings remained subjects of mystery and interpretation.
His most famous work is The Garden of Earthly Delights, a magnificent triptych depicting a world between Paradise, earthly pleasures, and Hell. It remains one of the most enigmatic and widely discussed creations in the history of Western art.
Other major works include The Temptation of Saint Anthony, The Last Judgment, and The Seven Deadly Sins. Around 25 works are today regarded as authentic paintings by Bosch, making each surviving work especially significant.