(Updated with the text of the video included) Watch now (13 mins) | It is almost incredible that in an age of hysterical homophobia such a visual testament should be made – but equally, it is undeniably there, hiding in plain sight.
I agree on the fact that there is a lot of preoccupation on the side of Bosch. Why that is so can have further analysis. To start with, I brought this up before, there are some six scenes that hint at troubles in trios. As I see them, I see in half of the ‘threesome’ cases the fear of a third party in a relationship, a third person’s leg / third wheel on the wagon as if it were…
These pairs are hetero, and the third one left out is male. Was he the original partner, or is gayness connected?
Was Bosch even over-jealous? It’s hard to imagine, but not impossible. During his whole life, he owed much to his wife.
I’ll place an illustration of my point on X/Twitter, IG and other social media.
Ah, you think the longing one might have been the original partner of the woman? Interesting. I view him as the original partner of the other man, and see desire rather than jealousy.
Oddly, I have been thinking about his wife recently. After 20-odd years of marriage, things happen to a man, especially entering his Third Age. In a spirit of pure speculation – the big cauldron on the head of the Hawk of Hell. That looks like a prized piece of medieval cookware. What 16th century wife wouldn't be proud of that as a status symbol? And Bosch has put it in pride of place in his demonology. That may hint of some domestic dislocation in his relationship. As I say, just an amusing speculation, but I wonder if there are other hints, elsewhere in the panels.
Bosch saw the abuse of kitchen utensils by party-revellers for what I imagine was “funny” bullying people. And he associated the tools with their further debauchery.
So, this “crown” of a Night Prince in Afterlife was meant to ridicule, to mock him. It’s childish. That devil is mocked in a dozen ways!
Btw, it’s a specific night bird predator, the small Night-jar, a sort of cousin of owls,famous for it being able to open its beak very wide.
Bosch was not the only one who painted kitchen instruments.
Also, the use of a cauldron as a helmet was actually done earlier in reality in the 15c by a panicking Amsterdam mayor during unrest, and that laughable story may have reached Bosch too. It didn’t help, the mayor did not survive. Breugel copied Bosch by drawing such “helmets” on his art.
Greatly expanded vision on the theme!
I agree on the fact that there is a lot of preoccupation on the side of Bosch. Why that is so can have further analysis. To start with, I brought this up before, there are some six scenes that hint at troubles in trios. As I see them, I see in half of the ‘threesome’ cases the fear of a third party in a relationship, a third person’s leg / third wheel on the wagon as if it were…
These pairs are hetero, and the third one left out is male. Was he the original partner, or is gayness connected?
Was Bosch even over-jealous? It’s hard to imagine, but not impossible. During his whole life, he owed much to his wife.
I’ll place an illustration of my point on X/Twitter, IG and other social media.
Ah, you think the longing one might have been the original partner of the woman? Interesting. I view him as the original partner of the other man, and see desire rather than jealousy.
Oddly, I have been thinking about his wife recently. After 20-odd years of marriage, things happen to a man, especially entering his Third Age. In a spirit of pure speculation – the big cauldron on the head of the Hawk of Hell. That looks like a prized piece of medieval cookware. What 16th century wife wouldn't be proud of that as a status symbol? And Bosch has put it in pride of place in his demonology. That may hint of some domestic dislocation in his relationship. As I say, just an amusing speculation, but I wonder if there are other hints, elsewhere in the panels.
Short preliminary answer:
Bosch saw the abuse of kitchen utensils by party-revellers for what I imagine was “funny” bullying people. And he associated the tools with their further debauchery.
So, this “crown” of a Night Prince in Afterlife was meant to ridicule, to mock him. It’s childish. That devil is mocked in a dozen ways!
Btw, it’s a specific night bird predator, the small Night-jar, a sort of cousin of owls,famous for it being able to open its beak very wide.
Bosch was not the only one who painted kitchen instruments.
Also, the use of a cauldron as a helmet was actually done earlier in reality in the 15c by a panicking Amsterdam mayor during unrest, and that laughable story may have reached Bosch too. It didn’t help, the mayor did not survive. Breugel copied Bosch by drawing such “helmets” on his art.