Hieronymus Bosch, The Seven Deadly Sins and the Four Last Things, c. 1485
Five circles stand on a black background. The four smallest ones, in the four corners, show the final stages of life: Death, Judgement, Hell and Glory. Two scrolls with Latin verses from the book of Deuteronomy warn of the consequences of sin. The first (32: 28-29) reads “For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them,” and the second (32: 20): “O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end.” The central circle is larger than the others and looks like an eye. In its pupil appears Christ as the Man of Sorrow and the phrase “Take care, take care, God is watching.” Its outer ring shows the seven deadly sins with genre scenes depicting the customary vices of that period.
