The Seven Deadly Sins and the Four Last Things

This circular panel painting, sometimes called "The Eye of God," draws you into a world where everyday life illustrates profound moral lessons. At its center, Christ emerges from his tomb, a poignant reminder of judgment. Surrounding him, seven vignettes depict the deadly sins, not as abstract concepts, but as scenes from daily human existence: a couple flirting in a tent (extravagance), a man overeating at a table (gluttony), or a woman admiring herself in a mirror (pride). This innovative approach grounds the spiritual in the familiar, making the consequences of sin strikingly relatable. The painting’s unique circular format, resembling an eye, reinforces the inscription below Christ: "Cave cave d[omi]n[u]s videt" (Beware, Beware, The Lord Sees). While its authorship has been debated, with some scholars attributing it to a follower, the Prado Museum maintains its status as a work by Hieronymus Bosch, a favorite of Philip II of Spain.