The most important artistic question of all time (maybe NSFW)

[macuser3of5]

So, after a few PMs and comments regarding the nature of my avatar, I feel it is important to settle the one of the most polarizing issues* plaguing the art history world:

Is the man depicted below plucking flowers or inserting them?

Hieronymus Bosch, Garden of Earthly Delights


Well, which is it, gents?

*Really, I did a bunch of reading for an art history class about this work, you would be surprised how much of an issue this actually is for some people...

 

[johnapril]

Is that a trivial pursuit question?

 

[designprofessor]

Whether inserted or removed, they are there.

 

[rdawson808]

Based on the vague smile on the guy inside whom the flowers are placed, I'd say the guy is inserting. If he were "plucking" the other guy would look more relieved than happy. Just a thought after a quick look.

Now back to a quite boring conference....


bob

 

[Joffrey]

Wow. Has it come to this, Styleforum?

 

[ruben]

Didn't Dave Sedaris (or Dave Rakoff) write something about this painting?

 

[Nantucket Red]

Col. Mustard did it in the study with a lead pipe.

 

[LabelKing]

The anus was regarded by some mystic groups as a creative center, such as the Sun might be the center of all things.

Either way, Bosch's grotesquely gorgeous painting depicts wanton sexual impulses and no doubt, I would suggest that the man is atually plucking them, in a dualism of both Creation and esctasy.