The Pedlar is a painting by Hieronymus Bosch, made in around 1500.
Although historians long disagreed, these days it's generally accepted the painting shows a pedlar, a man symbolic for sin but also repentance.
Let's check out some details and if we can make sense of them.
Although historians long disagreed, these days it's generally accepted the painting shows a pedlar, a man symbolic for sin but also repentance.
Let's check out some details and if we can make sense of them.
This basket is one of the reasons historians think the man is a pedlar.
In several other paintings and images of that era we see men with similar baskets and stories about pedlars being attacked by dogs were common.
And.. I think that may be a cat skin...
In several other paintings and images of that era we see men with similar baskets and stories about pedlars being attacked by dogs were common.
And.. I think that may be a cat skin...
The dog looks mean, the spiked collar shows the dog was probably used for hunting or was a guard dog.
The spikes protect the dog from wild animals or other guard dogs.
He's got a nasty grin but the stick seems to keep him away for now.
Also, he was still a good boy.
The spikes protect the dog from wild animals or other guard dogs.
He's got a nasty grin but the stick seems to keep him away for now.
Also, he was still a good boy.
Yes that is a Bollock dagger, no I will not again tell you why it is called that you naughty pervy pervy lot.
But it's not a cheap weapon and it shows his journey has been dangerous at times.
But it's not a cheap weapon and it shows his journey has been dangerous at times.
An animal paw sticks out of his coat, a pigs trotter perhaps?
It looks out of place, it's not some sort of good luck charm, that would be around his neck or attached to his coat.
Did he do a bit of poaching, did he steal some food?
It looks out of place, it's not some sort of good luck charm, that would be around his neck or attached to his coat.
Did he do a bit of poaching, did he steal some food?
His clothes are not in bad condition but there's one obvious hole.
Perhaps that's a symbol of him having fallen in the past?
The bandage shows he's perhaps been bitten by a dog before.
Although he wears 2 different shoes, they're in good condition.
Perhaps that's a symbol of him having fallen in the past?
The bandage shows he's perhaps been bitten by a dog before.
Although he wears 2 different shoes, they're in good condition.
In his hat we see a shoemakers awl, a sort of pick, a pointy tool.
And perhaps some string?
This might explain his shoes being of good quality, he was a shoemaker once or at least knows how to repair them.
And perhaps some string?
This might explain his shoes being of good quality, he was a shoemaker once or at least knows how to repair them.
Our man is walking towards the fence, is this symbolic for the journey of life, fields and hills, a new journey?
Special attention for this adorable little owl please.
On the left we see what appears to be an Inn and a bit of a dodgy one.
Did our pedlar stay here, is it his past, is this temptation?
Did our pedlar stay here, is it his past, is this temptation?
Let's look at some details and... oh no, look away, ignore that bit.
Typical!
And some still do this sort of thing today, ew.
Typical!
And some still do this sort of thing today, ew.
This married woman (or so her head cover suggests) seems upset.
She is looking at our pedlar.
Is she just checking out why the dog is growling, does she not trust the stranger or is she part of his past, a love interest or his mother, sad to see him go?
She is looking at our pedlar.
Is she just checking out why the dog is growling, does she not trust the stranger or is she part of his past, a love interest or his mother, sad to see him go?
Mr. Bosch has painted this little scene very well.
Trying to get past the annoying guy trying to get your attention.
She looks so uninterested in the what appears to be a soldier.
She's holding the jug, probably works there.
Come on chaps, leave the barmaids alone.
Trying to get past the annoying guy trying to get your attention.
She looks so uninterested in the what appears to be a soldier.
She's holding the jug, probably works there.
Come on chaps, leave the barmaids alone.
If you still think this Inn might be worth a visit, google for a place called "the white swan" or something similar.
Might have been closed by Health & Safety by now though.
Are those underpants or a shirt hanging from that window?
At least someone does laundry there.
Might have been closed by Health & Safety by now though.
Are those underpants or a shirt hanging from that window?
At least someone does laundry there.
Business is not good at the White Swan.
that roof is in dire need of repair.
The jug on a stick is a sign that you can get drinks there.
that roof is in dire need of repair.
The jug on a stick is a sign that you can get drinks there.
So the painting seems to tell the story of life.
We are sinners who carry our sins with us, literally on our back here.
We've made mistakes but learned from them.
Although we think back of our sinful deeds our journey continues and new chances await.
We are sinners who carry our sins with us, literally on our back here.
We've made mistakes but learned from them.
Although we think back of our sinful deeds our journey continues and new chances await.
I'm no art historian and lots of medieval symbolism is lost on us today.
But it's always fun to look at these paintings and see what we do recognise and if we can come to some conclusions.
Bon voyage fellow sinners.
Thread inspired by this tweet;
But it's always fun to look at these paintings and see what we do recognise and if we can come to some conclusions.
Bon voyage fellow sinners.
Thread inspired by this tweet;
https://twitter.com/artistbosch/status/1353493375698292744
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