Hieronymus Bosch - Biography

Jheronimus van Aken was born in Den Bosch, Holland in approximately 1450.

He lived with his father and uncles in the house of his grandfather Jan, who was also a painter. Hieronymus, or Jheronimus as he was known, had two brothers, Jan and Goessen, and two sisters, Herbertke and Kathrien. Presumably Hieronymus attended the Latin school, which distinguished him from most of his peers. In 1462, when he was twelve years old, his parents bought a house on the market square (number 29). It was here that Hieronymus, Jan and Goessen received their painter training. In 1480/81 Hieronymus married Aleid van de Meervenne, who was from a wealthy and distinguished family. They lived in Aleid's house on the more upscale, north side of Market (number 61), just across from the painting studio of the Van Aken family.

Hieronymus' fame as a painter was growing steadily, both within Den Bosch and beyond. In 1488 he was "sworn member" of the Brotherhood of Our Blessed Lady. Hieronymus' membership of this elite group confirmed its distinguished status. The Brotherhood of Our Blessed Lady had a house for meetings and a private chapel (now the Sacrament Chapel) at St. John's Cathedral. For the new altarpiece in the chapel Hieronymus painted the two shutters with Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, who both where honoured as patrons of the church. In the late 15th century Hieronymus began to sign his paintings "Jheronimus Bosch" after the city where he lived and worked. Thanks to his prestigious clients Bosch was comfortably well off, but never rich.

Bosch died in August 1516 and is buried at the St John’s Cathedral. The work of Bosch has remained extraordinary and unique, and he is the most famous medieval painter Holland has produced.

Chronology

1450      (approx.) birth of Jheronimus van Aken

1462      Family workshop at the Markt in Den Bosch

1480      Marriage with Aleid Van de Meervenne

1488      Bosch becomes a member of the Illustrious Brotherhood of Our Blessed Lady

1488      (approx.) The artist begins signing work as “Jheronimus Bosch”

1504      Philip the Fair, Duke of Burgundy and Brabant, order a Last Judgement from Bosch

1516      Bosch is buried, the Mass was held at St. John’s Cathedral in Den Bosch

Image: Hieronymus Bosch is licensed under Public Domain

References:

Bax, Dirk. Ontcijfering van Jeroen Bosch. Den Haag, 1949

Fischer, Stefan. "Hieronymus Bosch. The Complete Works", Cologne 2013.

Gibson, Walter. Hieronymus Bosch. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1973. ISBN 0-500-20134-X