While sin and folly occupy a prominent place in Bosch's art, their significance can be fully appreciated only within the context of a larger medieval theme, the Last Judgment. The preparation for this Final Day was one of the chief concerns of the medieval Church. In Bosch's days the terrors of the Final Reckoning were intensified by a general sense of its imminence. Nowhere, however, was this chronic anxiety of the age given more vivid expression than in Bosch's imposing Last Judgment triptych in Vienna, executed probably during his middle period.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 10 minutes): Giuseppe Verdi: Requiem, Dies irae (excerpt)

Preview	Picture Data	File Info	Comment
	Last Judgment Triptych 1504-08 Mixed technique on panel, 163 x 128 cm (central panel), 167 x 60 cm (each wing) Akademie der bildenden Künste, Vienna	1400*853 True Color 220 Kb
	Last Judgment Triptych (exterior view) 1504-08 Grisaille on panel Akademie der bildenden Künste, Vienna	1100*1308 True Color 195 Kb
	Last Judgment Triptych (central panel) 1504-08 Mixed technique on panel, 163 x 128 cm Akademie der bildenden Künste, Vienna	1479*1901 True Color 390 Kb
	Last Judgment Triptych (central panel) 1504-08 Mixed technique on panel, 163 x 128 cm Akademie der bildenden Künste, Vienna	1100*1414 True Color 215 Kb
	Last Judgment Triptych (detail) 1504-08 Mixed technique on panel Akademie der bildenden Künste, Vienna	1000*1426 True Color 190 Kb
	Last Judgment Triptych (detail) 1504-08 Mixed technique on panel Akademie der bildenden Künste, Vienna	1000*1441 True Color 161 Kb
	Last Judgment Triptych (left wing) 1504-08 Mixed technique on panel, 167 x 60 cm Akademie der Bildenden Künste, Vienna	500*1525 True Color 142 Kb
	Last Judgment Triptych (right wing) 1504-08 Mixed technique on panel, 167 x 60 cm Akademie der Bildenden Künste, Vienna	500*1503 True Color 130 Kb
	Last Judgment Triptych (left outer wing) 1504-08 Grisaille on panel, 167 x 60 cm Akademie der Bildenden Künste, Vienna	500*1554 True Color 112 Kb
	Last Judgment Triptych (detail) 1504-08 Mixed technique on panel Akademie der bildenden Künste, Vienna	1200*1302 True Color 218 Kb
	Last Judgment Triptych (right outer wing) 1504-08 Grisaille on panel, 167 x 60 cm Akademie der Bildenden Künste, Vienna	500*1535 True Color 109 Kb