“Right next to the owl we see a man and a woman locked inside a glass sphere. The sphere is attached to a large flower, which in its turn sprouts from the pink ball floating on the water below the couple. The man has put one hand on the woman’s belly, looking up at her with hungry eyes. The woman has put one hand on his thigh. Like many other details of the center panel this is a clear reference to sexuality and lust. It can be seen as a Bosschian variation on the small vessels depicted in late-medieval books with courting couples confessing their love for each other. The sphere separates the two from the other figures, but we also see small cracks appear. Again danger is lurking, maybe even more so because the figures inside are about to surrender to feelings of lust.”

 

• It is often interpreted as a symbol of divine or cosmic knowledge, representing the realm of spiritual or metaphysical understanding.

• The presence of these figures inside the sphere has led to different interpretations, ranging from representations of souls in purgatory to symbolizing the diversity and complexity of human existence.

 

Could the sphere represent the world or universe as a whole? If so, everyone and everything inside is representing the vast array of human desires, temptations, and experiences contained within our world. It’s almost like it’s a visual metaphor for the interconnectedness and interdependence of all things. In return, emphasizing the intricate and multifaceted nature of human existence as we know it.

The transparency of the sphere also signifies a certain transparency of human nature, exposing the inner thoughts, desires, and actions that drive human behavior. It invites viewers to reflect upon their own impulses and choices, urging them to consider the consequences of indulging in earthly pleasures and the potential for spiritual enlightenment or damnation. But, I ponder, how much of this is genuine?