Robert Baldwin, Associate Professor of Art History, Connecticut College presents, “The Artistry of Bosch: Renaissance Naturalism, Allegory and Imagination,” Saturday, May 21, at 11 a.m., at Lyme Public Library
This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Lyme Public Library
2016 marks 500 years since the death of Hieronymus Bosch. Bosch revolutionized early Renaissance art by turning away from traditional Christian images such as Madonnas and saints. In the Garden of Earthly Delights (see image above), the Haywain, and the Seven Deadly Sins, Bosch painted secular, encyclopedic scenes of everyday life framed with moral allegory.
Although seemingly poles apart, his naturalism and fantasy were both part of a secular, Renaissance aesthetic, which understood artistic seeing as both empirical and playful. Bosch’s artistry allowed him to convert medieval sin and hellish punishment into visually appealing luxury objects for pleasure-loving aristocrats while bringing the artist fame and fortune.
Baldwin has taught Renaissance and Baroque art history at Connecticut College for 31 years. He is the author of many articles and has a web site socialhistoryofart.com.