[A note from Mark in Thailand... on the Heaven, Earth and Hell painting by Bosch in the Prado in Madrid - Derrell]
Hieronymous Bosch certainly experienced the noble fungal rot of ergot, which is essentially “natural” LSD. It was common in the 15th and 16th centuries [actually the cause of so-called "witchcraft"], particularly in the damp rye-growing regions of the Brabant where Bosch lived. In fact, he was probably “stricken” [if that's the right word] with it many times…he may have even specifically sought it out. He wasn’t alone among pre-surrealistic painters of his generation. The vapors associated with their painting chemicals, linseed oils, etc. probably produced a good buzz as well. The trouble with ergot is that it was difficult to determine the optimal dosage. Think if you were at a party and the punch you just drank could have been laced with a tab or two….or thousands! How would react after you flipped out? The stuff actually got in the water supply thereby infecting the entire town. Naturally the good burghers had to rape the young women before they were condemned for obvious witchcraft and heresy. Nice, huh?
