Jonathan Creek -the Grinning Man

[Harleyj]

Did not see all of show ,incase the answer to my question was revealed sometime during it.

Q. Does anyone know the title of the painting in last nights episode? Was the artist Hieronymous Bosch?

Just as an afterthought ,it reminded me loosely of the the cover of Pipedream, by Alan Hull, the artist being Ren� Magritte, title:La lampe Philosophiqu�

[natalie_1982]

I can't remember the name of the painting, but they said the artist was Bosche

[andy-hughes]

It waqs called 'The Laughing Man'.

I have checked the credits for the series, and Googled Bosch, and can find no mention of the origin of this picture.

[Roo_power]

I think I can help here. Look at this:

http://www.williamirwinthompson.org/images/529 _Bosch.jpg

It's an original painting by the artist Bosch (who does exist...I had never heard of him!). Look at the guy in the middle towards the bottom...am fairly sure it's the same face, which they may have fiddled with to create a new picture.

The picture was called "Man with pipe" in the episode, but I have no idea what this whole picture is called

[Roo_power]

The Bosch painting from which the image came (if it is the same face...it's the same style or a replica at least) is called Christ Carrying Cross, fom 1516

[Harleyj]

Hi Roo-power,

Opinions seem to be concurring as to source of subject used in the TV episode - The Grinning Man. Please see the 2 refs cited below:

Re: The Grinning Man

Well the picture in the Grinning Man is from a picture by Hieronymus Bosch and is called "La salita al Calvario" and I think it was filmed in Knebworth House, Knebworth, Hertfordshire.

http://www.castelmeteo.it/arte/Hieronymus%20Bo sch/pages/Hieronymus%20Bosch%20-%20La%20salita %20al%20Calvario.html



It appears to come from this painting from Bosch, Christ Carrying the Cross: http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/bosch/car rying/carrying.jpg

In the bottom right is a face similar to the one from the painting. It is facing the wrong way and the nose is slightly different; also the eye in JC is facing outwards. Furthermore apparently tobacco wouldn't have reached western Europe until 80 years after Bosch's death. All this said, it definitely appears to be based on this face; notice the hood or hat is identical, as roughly the mouth and jaw are.

Obviously the programme makers have indulged in some clever cgi editing and one day the author accredited to this may be revealed.

Until then thanks for your help.

Cheers

[Roo_power]

I'm pretty sure that's the painting I mentioned...