THE GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS: THE BOOK

Contemporary visions of The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch are brought together in this new book, published to coincide with the exhibition The Garden of Earthly Delights through the artworks of Colección SOLO at Matadero Madrid (7 October 2021 - 27 February 2022).

Bosch’s masterpiece has been captivating viewers for five centuries. Open the triptych’s grey shutters and a world steeped in imagination and symbolism is waiting to be discovered. It is a world which has inspired generations of artists, from surrealists through to leading figures in new media art. Visual narratives, sensorial adventures and reflections on the present day; like their Renaissance predecessor, these contemporary interpretations demand a mindful gaze.

Reworkings of Bosch’s triptych by fourteen contemporary artists are showcased in this largeformat publication. Artificial intelligence, sound and digital animation are among the chosen media of featured artists such as the Dutch collective, SMACK, AI-art innovator, Mario Klingemann and Chinese new media pioneer, Miao Xiaochun. More traditional formats are represented too, with ceramics by Spanish artist, Lusesita, large scale paintings by Mu Pan and Dave Cooper, along with beautifully textured pencil drawings by Davor Gromilovic.

The 160-page book is organised into six thematic chapters, each of which provides background on Bosch’s original and context for the contemporary artworks inspired by this timeless masterpiece. An introductory essay traces modern art’s fascination with The Garden of Earthly Delights, while a non-linear structure enables the reader to explore the book’s content as they choose. With exquisite reproductions, extensive details and thoroughly researched texts on each piece, The Garden of Earthly Delights translates a unique selection of contemporary artworks into a format you can revisit, time and again