Fish With Mast Fantasy Creature – Hieronymus Bosch Statue (JB05)

Fish With Mast – A Nautical Hieronymus Bosch Statue from The Temptation of Saint Anthony

This unusual Hieronymus Bosch statue brings to life one of the most playful and unsettling hybrid creatures from The Temptation of Saint Anthony. Bosch filled this triptych with animals and creatures that behave like humans, and this armored fish is one of his most charming inventions. It glides through the water like a small boat, outfitted with a mast, rigging, and bright red coverings. This Bosch figurine captures the humor and mystery that made Bosch’s work so unforgettable.

In the panel, fish appear in many forms. Some swim. Others walk on land. Some even fly through the air. Bosch used these creatures to explore ideas about temptation, confusion, and human weakness. This fish belongs to that whimsical world. It swims past the central scene, where a dark ritual hints at the darker temptations Saint Anthony resisted. The surprise of a fish acting like a boat adds humor, but it also carries meaning. Bosch often used animals to reflect human behavior, and this Bosch hybrid creature is no exception.

Symbolism in This Hieronymus Bosch Statue

Fish in medieval art carried many meanings. They could represent Christian faith, but they might also symbolize the unknown or the hidden temptations that swim beneath the surface of daily life. Bosch expanded that symbolic range by transforming fish into small ships, couriers, and companions to witches and spirits. This Garden of Earthly Delights statue (in spirit, though from a different triptych) reflects that playful approach. The armored shell suggests protection or danger. The mast and sail add a sense of direction, or perhaps misdirection. Is the fish on a true journey, or is it drifting toward sin?

The red coat wrapped around its body heightens its theatrical presence. Red often symbolized desire, danger, or deception. In this context, the coat and straps may suggest that the creature is both dressed for a task and captured by it. The mast rises proudly from its back, supported by delicate rigging. This strange structure transforms the fish into a tiny sailing vessel. Bosch loved to mix land, sea, and sky. This figure is a perfect example of that playful blend.

About This Hieronymus Bosch Statue

This Hieronymus Bosch statue is hand-painted with vivid color and fine detail. The resin surface reveals subtle texture that enhances the armor. The fish’s face is gentle and expressive. The pale yellow head contrasts beautifully with the deep red coat. The long tail shifts from red to gold, adding warmth to the design. The mast and rigging rise with crisp lines, giving the small creature unexpected elegance. This Bosch figurine captures both humor and craft in equal measure.

The statue also highlights Bosch’s ability to turn familiar creatures into something new. Medieval viewers would have recognized the fish as a symbol of faith. They also would have understood boats as metaphors for the spiritual journey. By combining them, Bosch invited his audience to reflect on direction, movement, and moral choice. Parastone adds unseen sides to the design, allowing collectors to enjoy a full view of the creature in three dimensions. This Northern Renaissance sculpture feels lively from every angle.

• Material: Resin with hand-painted details.
• Collection: Parastone Mouseion 3D, item JB05.
• Dimensions: 3 in H × 5 in L × 1.5 in D.
• Weight: 0.3 lbs.
• Explore more Bosch creatures: Visit the Bosch Collection .

Northern Renaissance Context

Bosch lived during a moment of cultural change. He worked in ’s-Hertogenbosch, a lively town filled with merchants, clergy, and craftsmen. He blended medieval symbolism with early Renaissance curiosity. His hybrid forms questioned human choices and the hidden forces that shape them. This Hieronymus Bosch sculpture reflects that approach. It invites viewers to look closely, smile, and think about the world Bosch imagined.

For More Reading

• Learn more about The Temptation of Saint Anthony in Visual Arts .
• Explore medieval animal symbolism in art: Bird and Animal Symbolism in Devotional Art .