I have had a wish to visit Madrid, capital of Spain, for some years now and in May of this year I succeeded. I wanted to visit the art museums, especially Museo del Prado, Spain’s main art museum, and Museo Reina Sofia. I am not an art expert, but I am fascinated in the human capacity of imagination and creativity. I may not understand some art, but I can appreciate the effort it took to create. I’m sure a larger effort than writing blogs!

In the Prado, I was particularly in awe of one piece by Hieronymus Bosch, over 500 years old, called Table of the Seven Deadly Sins (1510). This painting is in a glass frame set on four legs. It is designed that we walk around it to notice each section. Bosch was genius in his imagination and painting skill.

He painted his ideas of Death, the Last Judgment, Hell, and Glory/Heaven, set in four small circles at the corners of the table.

However, what drew my attention were the images in the middle of the table. Bosch painted his idea of Christ in the centre of the circle, saying in Latin “Beware, beware, the Lord is watching,” watching us humans straying from God’s path. I’m reminded of a patient parent waiting for their child to grow up.

There are seven segments around Christ. Using ordinary people in everyday medieval situations, Bosch painted his understanding of each of the Seven Deadly Sins: Wrath/Anger, Envy, Greed, Gluttony, Sloth/Acedia, Lust, and Pride.

Wow!

Our human failings have not changed much in 500 years.

I remember being taught as a child about the Seven Deadly Sins in the Catholic Catechism. They seem to be forgotten now, maybe because of the over emphasis on sin in those days. Perhaps we may not admit our failings to ourselves, such as being greedy, or being very angry, or envious, or proud.

I wondered how I and others could relate to these Deadly Sins in this modern age?

We can consume too much of our earth’s resources. We can feel excessive envy of a “celebrity” lifestyle that we have no hope of achieving. We can be overly obsessed and proud of our appearance or think we are better than everyone else. Once our basic needs are met, we could feel greedy for more or constantly look for the latest model of car/ phone/designer clothes. We could have uncontrolled outbursts of anger causing hurt and bitterness, whether using social media or in person. We could be self-centred in looking for pleasure and not appreciate other people.

The image of “Sloth” didn’t strike me at first as being sinful. A man relaxing on a chair beside a fire. I do that regularly. At second look, I see a notebook on a bench. Is he neglecting his work? I also see a nun with an imploring look, holding a bible and rosary beads. The deeper message seems to be that sloth is not just being lazy but is being disinterested in prayer or neglecting our spiritual growth, and not receiving joy from prayer with God or helping others. We know we are supposed to pray and do good works, but we can’t seem to motivate ourselves. We don’t do anything, or else we fill our day with distractions which is very easy nowadays with our smart phones. Am I guilty of Sloth when I choose Solitaire on my phone instead of prayer? We need God’s assistance to keep us from straying even more now in this modern world. Thanks Bosch, for these insights.

https://www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/art-work/table-of-the-seven-deadly-sins/3fc0a84e-d77d-4217-b960-8a34b8873b70