Hieronymus Bosch: Garden of Earthly Delights
Although Hieronymus Bosch's triptych painting, The Garden of  Earthly Delights, has fascinated viewers for centuries,  commentators have been perplexed about its intended meaning. In  this book, German art historian Belting (Thomas Struth) argues  persuasively for an interpretation of the enigmatic central  panel as a representation of the earthly paradise that would  have existed if Adam and Eve's fall had never taken place.  Belting's book is more philosophical and less comprehensive than  Jos Koldeweij and others' recent Hieronymus Bosch: The Complete  Paintings and Drawings, and Belting's discussion of the  religious and cultural context of Bosch's art sometimes strays  so far from the art itself that it is hard to see the  connection. This book is valuable, however, for its novel view  of a much-discussed painting. A large foldout reproduction of  the triptych and many close-up views and reproductions of  several related works add to the book's value. Recommended for  scholarly and specialized collections.Kathryn Wekselman,  Cincinnati, OHCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.