Hieronymus Bosch: The World as Hell / Hell as the World

When we say “Bosch,” we mean “demons,” “temptations,” and “the torments of hell.” The master from the Dutch city of ’s-Hertogenbosch was, of course, not the first medieval artist to depict punishments in the afterlife and fiery landscapes of the other world. However, the hell he imagined is remarkably unlike the “standard” one. Cities in flames; harps, knives, skates, and other objects that have suddenly grown in size and turned into instruments of posthumous executions; demons joining forces and going to war against sinners. It seems that Bosch is depicting not hell, but a world that has become hell. How are his infernal spaces structured? Why did even musical instruments become instruments of torture? What do depictions of the underworld tell us about everyday life in the 15th century? And how are the wars regularly waged by Dutch cities and their lords reflected in them? Even the most inventive fantasy (and Bosch had no equal in this respect!) constructs imaginary worlds from elements of reality. Even the most terrible nightmare (Freud would agree!) is built according to certain rules. Let us try to determine what they are.

Speaker: Mikhail Maizuls — medieval historian, Candidate of Historical Sciences. His research interests include the religious and cultural history of the Western European Middle Ages, medieval iconography, the history of religious and political iconoclasm, and visual anthropology. Two-time recipient of the Enlightener Prize.

After the lecture, there will be a question-and-answer session.

When: 30 November at 19:00
Where: Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel

The lecture will be held in Russian. The doors to the hall will open at 18:30.

Please note that tickets are non-refundable. However, you can always give them to your friends!