Jheronimus Bosch

Jheronimus Bosch was born around 1450 to a family of painters. His grandparents came from the german town of Aachen, but migrated westwards, direction of Nijmegen in the Northern Low Countries. Bosch's father was observed being in 's Hertogenbosch. It is suspected that Bosch was born there in a family of five children, or which four of them took up the painter's brush. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Our Blessed Lady.

Bosch developed a highly recongisable, idosyncratic painting style. Bosch cannot be placed stylistically in line with the Primitives, in that he proceded too self-styled with his work. His ouevre, however, indeed falls within the established limits of time and place. Primarily, he enjoys prestige for his fantastic and nearly diabolical works with all sorts of beings that in general have a moralising meaning. A typical example is the Triptych of the Grail, better known as The Garden of Earthly Delights Triptych in the Prado Museum in Madrid. Bosch shows what the consequences of sin and debauchery are.

Circa 1450

Bosch was presumably born in ´s Hertogenbosch.

1474

Bosch's name is recorded for the first time in documents that have been preserved.

1480-1481

Bosch is mentioned as a painter for the first time.

June 1481

He marries Aleyt Goyart van den Meervenne, a daughter of a moneyed member from the local patriciate.

1486

Bosch becomes a member of the Brotherhood of Our Blessed Lady. In 1488 he is sworn in as member, which indicates a necessary status. In 1493, 1503-04, 1508-09 and 1511-12 he produces five small works for the fraternity.

1493, 1503-1504, 1508-1509, 1511-1512

The artist produces five small works for the fraternity.

1488

Bosch is the owner of a house with land in the Schilderstraetken in ´s Hertogenbosch, inherited by his wife.

1474-1498

Fourteen documents are found for this period with regards to financial transactions for Bosch and his wife, among which is the sale of his wife's real estate.

1500

Bosch is meanwhile wealthy enough that he no longer has to paint. Tax records for the years 1502-03 and 1511-12 shows that Bosch belonged to the ten wealthiest citizens of ´s Hertogenbosch.