Hieronymus Bosch
Background
Hieronymus Bosch (c. 1450 - August 9, 1516) was a Dutch painter from Brabant. He is considered one of the greatest artists of the Northern Renaissance and a prominent representative of the Early Netherlandish painting school. His family was a dynasty of painters, his grandfather Jan van Aken, being a painter, and his father, Anthonius van Aken, acted as an artistic adviser to the Illustrious Brotherhood of Our Blessed Lady. Bosch's early life and training are not well documented, but it is assumed that he learned to paint from his family members. Bosch's paintings are characterized by their use of symbolism, allegory, and fantastical elements to depict religious concepts and moralistic themes. His works often feature demons, half-human animals, and machines to evoke fear and confusion, portraying the evil of man. His style is marked by complex, highly original, and imaginative use of symbolic figures and iconography, some of which was obscure even in his own time. The image above is from "The Garden of Earthly Delights"
Barn Owls
The Barn Owl is a silent predator with a ghostly pale appearance and a whitish face, chest, and belly. Noted for its distinctive heart-shaped face with dark eyes. Barn Owls are nocturnal, roosting in hidden, quiet places during the day and hunting at night in open fields and meadows. They are known for their eerie, raspy calls, which are unlike the hoots of other owls. As birds of prey, they hunt and catch small mammals, particularly Field Voles. They have extraordinary adaptations to help them hunt at night, such as incredibly sensitive hearing and the ability to spot movement in very low light. Barn Owls mate for life, unless one of the pair is killed, in which case a new pair bond may be formed.
Bosch Masks, The Barn Owl Mask
Fabrication
Hieronymus Bosch's paintings feature a wide variety of animals depicted in fantastical and surreal settings. Here we focused on just one animal (or bird), Owls. An ever-present element in Bosch's paintings. Often symbolizing menace and caution rather than wisdom. Extracting this entity, thru play, Bellmount House is pleased to deliver Bosch Masks. The Barn Owl Mask is the first in a series of masks in relation to Bosch's work. These masks are composed of dyed colored cotton fabrics over an extruded plastic interior. They measure a little over life size. 120mm x 130mm x 30mm. To hold in place, as a face mask. One can use any stick, twig or thin branch, simply placed in the mask-socket to support. Hieronymus Bosch was an exceptionally unique artist. We feel we've delivered an "Art Object" by extracting, building and developing upon his incredible timeless creativity.