Hieronymus Bosch, Touched By The Devil

Hieronymus Bosch, Touched By The Devil is a riveting 2015 documentary that takes viewers on a journey through the life, works, and enigmatic mysteries surrounding one of history's most notable and distinctive artists - Hieronymus Bosch. Directed by Pieter van Huystee, this film interweaves the meticulous, measured world of art history with the captivating narrative of Bosch’s influential oeuvre.

The film opens by introducing the viewer to a team of Dutch art scholars led by Matthijs Ilsink and Peter Klein, as they embark on a globetrotting mission to inspect and authenticate all existing pieces of Bosch’s artwork. The documentary is set in the background of Bosch’s fifth centenary, providing the art historians an exigent timeframe to diligently work through. The team is tasked with, among other things, examining tiny details through infrared photography and multi-spectral analysis to reveal the hand of this master beneath the work and among the layers of centuries past.

Within the film, we are introduced to the captivatingly archaic landscapes painted by Bosch, elevated by the touch of imagination that transcends ordinary depictions of the everyday world. Bosch’s works are renowned for their religious and fantastic motifs, often featuring detailed depictions of heaven and hell, demons, monsters and other surreal, symbolic entities. Hieronymus Bosch, Touched By The Devil does not just provide a glimpse into Bosch's paintings but delves deeper into deciphering the complex layered symbolism within his art.

One of the key depictions and the most frequent masterpiece making appearances in the film is the triptych, ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’, a visual narrative of paradise lost, the corruption of man, and the torments of hell. But, keeping the documentary from being a mundane analytical narration of Bosch’s work, the film focuses on the detective-like work of Ilsink, Klein, and their studied companions as they travel the world, discussing their findings and slowly unraveling the mystery of Bosch’s unique artistic vocabulary.

The film also takes us to various art museums worldwide, including the Prado Museum in Spain and the Louvre in France, where much of Bosch’s existing works are housed. It adds an additional level of intrigue to witness the restoration and examination processes that take place in these renowned institutions and to see the various international reactions to the Dutch team's work.

Through the diverse perspectives of museum curators, art historians, restorers, and infra-red photography, we are given an in-depth introduction to the extensive thought and effort that is put into not only understanding but preserving works of art. A particular element of ongoing contention depicted in the film revolves around the authenticity of several works claimed to have been painted by Bosch and the disagreements between renowned art experts that these queries provoke.

The cinematography enhances the intriguing gothic aura around Hieronymus Bosch's work - viewers are taken on a close, slow-moving journey over the canvas to interact with the rich textures, the minute details, the myriad little stories unfolding in the complex grandeur of Bosch's imagination.

What sets Hieronymus Bosch, Touched By The Devil apart is how it spends its time not convinced that it holds a definitive answer to the puzzle of Bosch's artistry. Instead, the film becomes a vehicle for the viewer to reflect on who Hieronymus Bosch might have been and what his fantastically weird yet captivating works continue to offer the world of art today.

This compelling documentary is engaging in a sense that it offers a lot more than merely a catalog-like showcase of Bosch’s work. Instead, it opens a portal into the intricacies of the world of art preservation, cultural nuance, and the constant quest for authenticity and interpretation surrounding an artist's oeuvre. The film, in its unique narrative and approach, brings about a sense of respect for the work of art historians and restorers whose dedicated efforts keep our historical and cultural treasures alive.

In a nutshell, Hieronymus Bosch, Touched By The Devil, presents a captivating exploration of an enigmatic artist’s life and legacy, showcasing the fascinating world of art history and the quest to unravel the mysteries it unfolds. The documentary serves both as an intimate examination of Bosch’s work and an engaging narrative of scientific art detective work, sure to captivate art enthusiasts and lovers of historical mysteries alike.