“The Seven Deadly Sins and the Four Last Things (detail)” is a painting by Hieronymus Bosch, dated around 1500. This religious painting belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement and is housed in the Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain. The artwork depicts a vivid and intricate scene emphasizing religious themes and moral teachings.
In this particular detail of the artwork, Bosch masterfully employs a circular composition to present a scene brimming with symbolic figures and actions. At the center top of the scene, a divine figure, possibly Christ, is enthroned and surrounded by a host of angels and worshippers, signifying the heavenly court. On the left side, newly resurrected souls are depicted being guided by a saintly figure, while on the right side, another group of souls appears in a different setting, hinting at a divergence of fates. In the foreground, angels play musical instruments, contributing to the celestial atmosphere. The architectural elements and the meticulous representation of figures reflect the intricacy and moral gravity typical of Bosch’s work. The overall composition serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of human actions within the framework of Christian eschatology.