ABOUT THE MOVIE

José Luis López Linares

2016 marks the 500 anniversary of the death of Hieronymus Bosch. It is almost the only information about the author of "The Garden of Earthly Delights" that we can put a precise date to. "Bosch, the Garden of Dreams" will premiere in theaters at the same time that Museo del Prado opens "El Bosco. The exhibition of the V centenary ", the most important exhibition ever on the artist with the Prado celebrating the 5th centenary of his death thanks to the sponsorship of the BBVA Foundation.

José Luis López Linares, has directed and produced all kind of documentary films. Cinematographer on films by Carlos Saura, Fernando Trueba, Jaime Chavarri, Alain Tanner and Victor Erice. Since 1994, he has produced and directed more than forty documentaries: Storm the Skies (1997 Ondas Award) Un instante en la vida ajena (Goya Best Documentary 2004) or Extras (Goya Best Documentary Short 2005). Goya 2005 winner for Best Cinematography for his work in Iberia, by Carlos Saura.

A PAINTING FOR “CONVERSATIO"

Since the early years of the sixteenth century, when "The Garden of Earthly Delights" by Hieronymus Bosch, was at the palace of Nassau in Brussels, it has been the subject of many interpretations: a heresy for some, utopia for others, a moralizing satire of a world thrown to sin for most.

The starting point of this documentary is based on the Falkenburg’s thesis that The Garden of Earthly Delights triptych, Bosco's masterpiece, was conceived as an element of conversation for the court of Nassau. A dialogue that began 500 years ago in Brussels and is now joined by artists, writers, philosophers, musicians, scientists, discussing the personal, historical and artistic significance of the picture, bringing back the “conversatio” to our days.

A HIEROGLYPH FULL OF MYSTERIES

There is no painting as enigmatic as this one in art history. The unbridled fantasy of this erotic delirium, its encrypted messages, poetic fable ... for centuries has fascinated all who have been fortunate to contemplate this triptych closely. Because one does not know where to look and can’t stop commenting on what your eyes see. What is this? What does it mean?.

There are still many mysteries surrounding the triptych, but at the same time there are elements for everyone: bright colors, complex action, comedy, tragedy, mystery, sin, life, death, and perhaps even redemption. Yet still the work can be appreciated and captures the viewer even without revealing it’s meaning. Therefore thousands of people gather around it daily in the room where it is displayed at the Prado, striving to decipher the most beautiful hieroglyphic ever painted.