Two Male Heads 1480

Hieronymus Bosch painted these Two Male Heads sometime before his death in 1516, likely with tempera or oil on a wood panel. Bosch was a master of his medium. Note the thinly applied layers of paint, built up to create a translucent effect. The smooth faces are juxtaposed with the intricate, textured details of the hats and clothing, which are painstakingly rendered. The very fine brushstrokes and careful application of pigment speak to a studio practice that valued skill and precision, an apprenticeship system handed down through generations. Bosch's art exists at a moment when this medieval system of production was giving way to early capitalism. Bosch, as a skilled painter, would have relied on assistants to prepare his materials and complete less demanding tasks. Though he was not exactly a factory owner, he occupied a similar position in the art world. Paying attention to these material and social factors, can broaden our appreciation for the art of Bosch and his contemporaries.