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Case's avatar

There’s a lot to say about Bosch’s rears.

Here three additions:

* In general I see it in part as self-censure. The bottom wasn’t very indecent, it was all in the humor of the times, and had some “regular” visibility. In fact, it is still used to make fun of in Carnaval times…

* The flowers in the posterior are a linguistic joke, an ancient saying was “fleuren uytlaten”, letting out flowers, i.e. passing wind. (See also the next point)

* That being said, there is also a hint at homosexuality.

Even the colors of the flowers in the example above may be relevant for this.

On the other hand, Bosch is a master at ambiguity: the shown plant “Guichelheil” Anagalis [Google translate Witches luck?!) links to curing folly- which would be quite appropriate for Love Garden….

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Simon Carr's avatar

Letting out flowers – love that. Oddly I speculated in the written entry on this subject that it might be a comment on a conceited person “believing in their fundamental fragrance” but yours is more grounded. Thank you.

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