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Originally called Jheronimus van Aeken, Jheronimus Bosch was born in ´s-Hertogenbosch into a family of painters from Nijmegen sometime around 1450. It is very probable that he learnt to paint at home on the market square in 's-Hertogenbosch.
Sources indicate that around 1480, when he was already a painter, he was called “Jeroen die Maelre”. A year later, he married Aleit Vander Meervenne, a daughter from a wealthy merchant family. They lived in a house on the market square, which also accommodated his studio. No children were born of this marriage, which lasted until his death.
Jheronimus Bosch was already very well known during his own life time, particularly among the upper classes, both at home and abroad. Besides his paintings, Bosch also designed stained glass, vestments and copperware. Unfortunately, Bosch almost never dated or signed his work, and as consequence, to date, only twenty-five works can be attributed to Hieronymus Bosch.
In 1486/1487, Bosch entered the elitist and devout Illustrious Brotherhood of Our Blessed Lady (Illustere Lieve Vrouwe Broederschap), a very conservative and pious association consisting of the forty most influential persons in 's-Hertogenbosch. His membership to this brotherhood led to many commissions, including ones from Henry III of Nassau en Philip the Fair of France. In 1488, Bosch was appointed to the Board of this Brotherhood. The Brotherhood still exists today and from its records of deaths, we know the year of Bosch’ death, as his funeral is recorded in 1516.
In 2016, it will be 500 years since Bosch’s death and this will be commemorated with a year of festivities, which you can read about here: Jheronimus Bosch 500
Sources indicate that around 1480, when he was already a painter, he was called “Jeroen die Maelre”. A year later, he married Aleit Vander Meervenne, a daughter from a wealthy merchant family. They lived in a house on the market square, which also accommodated his studio. No children were born of this marriage, which lasted until his death.
Jheronimus Bosch was already very well known during his own life time, particularly among the upper classes, both at home and abroad. Besides his paintings, Bosch also designed stained glass, vestments and copperware. Unfortunately, Bosch almost never dated or signed his work, and as consequence, to date, only twenty-five works can be attributed to Hieronymus Bosch.
In 1486/1487, Bosch entered the elitist and devout Illustrious Brotherhood of Our Blessed Lady (Illustere Lieve Vrouwe Broederschap), a very conservative and pious association consisting of the forty most influential persons in 's-Hertogenbosch. His membership to this brotherhood led to many commissions, including ones from Henry III of Nassau en Philip the Fair of France. In 1488, Bosch was appointed to the Board of this Brotherhood. The Brotherhood still exists today and from its records of deaths, we know the year of Bosch’ death, as his funeral is recorded in 1516.
In 2016, it will be 500 years since Bosch’s death and this will be commemorated with a year of festivities, which you can read about here: Jheronimus Bosch 500
