Den Bosch – Where Art goes from paintings to the streets

Written by Bruna Ugá. 

    One of my favorite places in the Netherlands is the city of s’Hertogenbosch. It might sound like a tricky name to remember, so there’s also a shorter version: Den Bosch. This is the capital of the North-Brabant province and its history goes back many centuries.

Den Bosch. Photo by Bruna Ugá. 2023.

    You may notice that by just walking through the city center. There is the Sint-Janskathedraal (Saint John’s Cathedral), a great Catholic church that gained its gothic style in the 14^th century. Also right in the Markt you may find the oldest remaining brick house of the Netherlands, the Moriaan (13^th century). There’s even the remaining of medieval walls that served as fortification for the town’s defense.

    These are all interesting marks which deserve their own article. But today I’d like to talk about a curious element that caught my eye on my first visit: a pig dressed as a nun.

Photo by Bruna Ugá. 2023.

The intriguing Art of Jheronimus Bosch

    Yes, you read it right. I found it in one of the city’s canals and soon realized it wasn’t the only one of its kind. Throughout Den Bosch you’ll find several statues like the pig dressed as nun (some even more disturbing). They all trace back to one place: the Jheronimus Bosch Art Center.  

Me, in front of the Art Center. 2023.

    This place is dedicated to the painter Jheronimus Bosch (1450-1516), one of the most famous Dutch artists. His works depict mostly religious themes but are not restricted to angelical and holy figures. They actually portray macabre images that represent humanity’s damnation: demons torturing hundreds of people in chaotic scenarios.

    His actual paintings can’t be found at the Art Center. However, there are many recreations of his works. These recreations are prints of his paintings but also lots of statues (similar to the pig-nun). These three-dimensional sculptures bring to our world his eccentric and intriguing characters. Besides that, the place is located in an old church, which matches to the themes found in Bosch’s Art.

Inside the Art Center. Photo by Bruna Ugá. 2026.

Statues inside the Art Center. Photo by Bruna Ugá. 2026.

    The big building has many floors. The main one is dedicated to the recreations of paintings, sketches and modern works inspired by the titular artist. In the underground there’s a replica of his studio. By taking the elevator you can access other floors. There are Art exhibitions and, at the top, a panoramic view of the city.

Recreation of Bosch's sketches. Photo by Bruna Ugá. 2026.

Photo by Bruna Ugá. 2026.

    Three-dimensional designs inspired on the Bosch's painting "The Garden of Earthly Delights". Work created by Serbian artist Lela Milosavljevic in 2012.

Recreation of Bosch's gallery. Photo by Bruna Ugá. 2026.

Panoramic view. Photo by Bruna Ugá. 2026.

Bosch's fantastic beasts – and where to find them

    The “Jheronimus Bosch” experience continues outside the museum. Finding these sculptures turned into a game to me every time I visit the city. I listed below all the statues I could find, their location and the paintings where they come from originally. They may not be Pokémon, but Gotta Catch'em All! 

Photo by Bruna Ugá. 2026. 

Image source: Wikimedia Commons.

    "Het varken in een nonnenkostuum" or "The pig in a nun costume". You can find it on the right panel of the painting "The Garden of Earthly Delights". Statue location (click here): Sint Josephstraat 1, 5211 NH 's-Hertogenbosch. 

Photo by Bruna Ugá. 2026.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons.

    Bird Headed Monster or Prince of Hell. You can find it on the right panel of the painting "The Garden of Earthly Delights". Statue location (click here). Hinthamerstraat, 5211 MT 's-Hertogenbosch. 

The "Early Bird" and I. 2025.

Image source: Artsy.net

    "Vroege Vogel" or "Early Bird" is a sculpture located at the Zuiderpark. You can find it on the central panel of the painting "The Garden of Earthly Delights". Statue location (click here): 5211 MW 's-Hertogenbosch. 

Photo by Bruna Ugá. 2023.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons.

    Bearded figure. You can find it on the central panel of the painting "The Last Judgement". Statue location (click here): Cavaleriebrug (Cavalerie Bridge) near the Zuiderpark. Cavaleriestraat, 5211 KX 's-Hertogenbosch. 

Photo by Bruna Ugá. 2025.

Image source: OpenCulture.com

    Here you'll see two figures: the Blue Flutist and the Bird with a Letter. You can find the Flutist next to the Bearded figure on "The Last Judgment" painting. The Bird is on the left panel of the painting "The Temptation of Saint Anthony".  Statue location (click here): Oude Dieze Street, in front of the Anne&Max café. 

Guy inside a barrel and I.

Image source: kunstkopie.nl

    Man inside a blue barrel. You can find it on the central panel of the painting "The Garden of Earthly Delights". Statue location (click here): Hekellaan 2, 5211 MW 's-Hertogenbosch. 

Photo by Bruna Ugá. 2025.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons.

    Giraffe. You can find it on the painting "Garden of Earthly Delights", the only sculpture I found from the left panel. Statue location (click here): Centrum, 5211 KW 's-Hertogenbosch. 

A city that combines history, nature and Art

    Of course, seeing an artist’s actual work is a unique experience. I saw “The Garden of Earthly Delights” last year in the Museo del Prado, in Madrid. I was mesmerized to gaze at it up close. But it’s also exciting to go around the place where the artist actually lived and find references to his work all around.

    So if you visit s’Hertogenbosch, don’t hesitate to explore its streets, canals and parks. You will fall in love with its beautiful architecture and enjoy its nature. There is always something interesting to see. And if you’re hungry for some dessert, go eat the delicious Bosschebollen. Just be careful not to commit the sin of gluttony, otherwise one of Bosch’s creatures may get you.