Jheronimus Bosch centrum

PRESS RELEASE
 

’s-Hertogenbosch, 7 May 2007

 

 

Last Judgement triptych scrutinised

Spectacular photographic research project into Jheronimus Bosch
 

In May, the Jheronimus Bosch Art Center presented the initial results of photographic research into the work of Jheronimus Bosch. New insights into Bosch's methods have been uncovered by combining digital photography with digital infra-red photography and reflectography. During the international Jheronimus Bosch conference on 23, 24 and 25 May 2007, the center will reveal the results of the research carried out into the Groeningemuseum in Bruges' Last Judgement triptych.

 

 

The photographic research project makes it possible to accurately compare all Bosch's works, which have become distributed across the globe since the sixteenth century. Very high resolution digital photographs are made of the works on location. Making life-size prints enables every detail from any Bosch painting to be compared to any other detail. Simultaneously, infra-red pictures are taken at various wavelengths which reveal the underdrawings and layers of paint. The infra red pictures show how Bosch prepared the painted scenes. This leads to surprising results. There are sometimes considerable differences between the scenes that were ultimately painted and the initial designs. The initial version may include different details, the arrangement of figures and objects is sometimes different and sometimes things have been left out or added.

 

The first painting to be photographed was the Last Judgement triptych from the Groeningemuseum in Bruges. This triptych proves to be very interesting now that the underdrawings and pentimenti (changes hidden by subsequent layers of paint) have been brought to light. It is not a copy as was sometimes suggested, but the design was changed considerably during the creation of this painting. All manner of details in the underdrawing reveal this. The painter was clearly searching for the ultimate form of the scenes. For example, in a detail of a hell scene there are evil rats sat on a barrel. In the initial version there are four, the end result only has two. Hell was originally more gruesome than Bosch and his helpers dared present.

 

The Jheronimus Bosch Art Center is collaborating with the art historians Prof. Dr Jos Koldeweij of Radboud University Nijmegen and Prof. Dr Reindert Falkenburg of Leiden University on this project. Photographer Adri Verburg of VZW Arcobaleno Antwerp takes the photographs.

 

All those involved are very enthusiastic about the initial results. Ultimately, the idea is to record all Bosch's works using the same equipment. The expectation is that the initial results will definitely help to gain the cooperation of the museums that have the paintings in their collections. Researchers and interested parties will eventually be able to examine the photographs at the Jheronimus Bosch Art Center. The photographs of the triptych from Bruges will be presented at the Jheronimus Bosch conference as a taste of what is to come.