Hieronymus Bosch created many works of art depicting the battle between good and evil as it pertains to the choices of human beings. Death and the Miser, an oil painting on wood created in 1490, is an example of Bosch’s methods of representing human sin as a battle between good and evil in the form of demons and angels. The work was painted in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the capital of a Dutch province named Brabant, where Bosch lived his entire life. Death and the Miser was part of a triptych also including Ship of Fools and Allegory of Gluttony and Lust. The triptych was a symbolic representation of the sins of men, relating to the early Reformation in Europe.
In Death and the Miser Bosch depicts an elderly man on the verge of death. A younger version of the miser appears in the lower portion of the painting hoarding gold in a chest. The younger version of the miser also holds a rosary in his hand. This depiction represents the actions and stances of religion that were opposed by the Reformation. The young miser is supposedly devoted to the church and his religion, yet hoards and gives into the sin of greed. A major part of the Reformation was an opposition to the Church’s impure motives in terms of wealth, even as their teachings discouraged sin in the form of material greed. Bosch provided a social commentary of his time through the painting, revealing ideals behind the Reformation. The aged miser is not free of the temptation, even as he nears death. He reaches for a bag of gold from a tempting gremlin as an angel attempts to discourage him from the act. Bosch presents the issues of the Church and society as a whole (smithsbluebook.com) , but also depicts a ray of light coming down to the miser from the figure of Christ, symbolizing the chance to repent and return to nobility. The overall message presented by Bosch in the painting is that material wealth and greed mean little when a humans life comes to an end.
Death and the Miser also contains details associated with humanism in the Northern Renaissance. The linear perspective in the painting leads to the upper right of the work, and detail in the faces of the various figures help to reveal their feeling and stance in the Good vs. Evil story. Bosch’s use of realsim, combined with the spiritual beings, creates a moving picture of a human in a setting that reveals much about the current feelings towards religion.
Personally I liked the way that Death and the Miser is not so cluttered as other works by Bosch. The various gremlins and figures do not take away from the overall feel of the painting, but all do their part in revealing the message. The perspective is realistic and pleasing to the eye, as are the colors that create a depressed feel. The positioning of Death in the doorway is perfect. The stance is not threatening or violent, but again alludes to temptation and the fact that a man has a choice to succumb to greed or, instead, rise above it. I also liked how the brightest part of the painting is the window where the light shines down through Christ. Brightening this area only added to the symbolism of redemption and the “right” path for a man to take. Overall Bosch’s paintings are all very interesting to me, but the way in which a simpler painting such as Death and the Miser can pack such a punch is impressive.
by Hieronymus Bosch
Refrence: http://www.smithsbluebook.com/bosch.html
September 25, 2009 at 7:18 pm
In comparison to Boschs other works I agree that this painting is far less cluttered and more harmonious in affect. Bosch is noted for his mockery is his other paintings but this one seems serious in contrast to the other works which are more whimsical. Death is depicted as a unexpected visitor, which seems to say that death is inevitable guest and comes to all without warning. The angel and demon are vying for the soul of the old man as he makes his last decision on whether or not to give in to earthly temptation. This painting seems more personal and emotional and the message it conveys speaks volumes about the political and ideological conflict of the times. The old mans love of gold is obviously holding him back from accepting God and going to heaven. The reformers believed the the catholic church was corrupted by wealth. There is also a focus on the human struggle with good and evil. And the depiction of the man as the decision maker displays the influence on humanism and protestant views that the individual is important and the individual has a personal stake in his own fate (although Calvinism is for predetermined destiny). I feel you did very good job making a connection to Humanism and The Reformation. Your information is supported by creditable facts and you gave a good description on how the painting moved you. I agree that the simple structure of the painting is less distracting and leaves the viewer with a greater impression and deep feeling about the plight of the old man. It took me a second to see Christ and the beaming light in the window above, but it definitely makes a powerful punch because the man doesn’t see Christ or the light, only death and temptation. This is symbolic of the Man’s preoccupation of the earthy needs and his ignorance of God. The essay is well written, the idea’s easy to follow, and information informative, and I enjoyed reading it. What do you think are the personal reasons behind the paintings? And given the subject matter do you think Bosch is projecting his own battle with morality? Why do you think there is so little information about Bosch, and does it have anything to do with own subject matter? And do you find it interesting the there are more demons in the room with the dying man then angels?
September 26, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Excellent. This was a very scholarly blog post, which was cited, and clearly written. Your personal reaction to subject matter as well as the comparison to Bosch’s other work illuminated why you chose this particular work to share.