Mankind Beset by Devils (reverse of Noah panel) 1504

Hieronymus Bosch created this striking image, "Mankind Beset by Devils," likely in the late 15th or early 16th century. Bosch lived during a period of immense religious and social upheaval, with the bubonic plague, known as the Black Death, fresh in the collective memory. The painting offers a glimpse into the anxieties of the era. The top panel depicts humans attacked by demonic figures, perhaps a commentary on the ever-present fear of sin and divine retribution. The lower scene shows a man and a woman, maybe Adam and Eve, with a godlike figure looking upon them, suggesting themes of creation and judgement. Bosch’s imagery taps into the deep-seated gendered beliefs of his time, where women were often portrayed as particularly vulnerable to temptation and sin. The emotional intensity of the piece, rendered with the artist’s unique fantastical style, speaks to enduring human struggles with morality and the search for redemption. We can only imagine what Bosch would make of our world today.