MADRID.- Art lovers across Europe are celebrating the unique genius of Hieronymus Bosch, the iconic Netherlandish painter of the late Middle Ages, as major museums housing his works join in marking "Bosch Day." Leading the charge is the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid, which has taken the initiative to propose the inclusion of the term "bosquiano" – the Spanish equivalent of "Boschian" – into the official Spanish dictionary.

The Prado, home to the world's largest collection of Bosch's masterpieces, including the famed Garden of Earthly Delights, has designated April 5th as a special day to honor the artist. This date marks the first known historical reference to Bosch, dating back to 1474. To further solidify the painter's lasting impact, the museum has formally requested the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) to add "bosquiano" to its dictionary. The Prado argues that the term is already in common usage to describe anything related to the singular style and imaginative world of Bosch, much like "velazqueño" for Velázquez and "picassiano" for Picasso.

Joining the Prado in this celebration are other prominent European institutions renowned for their Bosch collections: the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, which holds significant works like Christ Carrying the Cross; the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga in Lisbon, home to The Temptation of Saint Anthony Triptych; and the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, where visitors can admire Saint Christopher Carrying the Christ Child.

The Prado is encouraging public participation in Bosch Day through its social media channels, inviting users to share instances where they've encountered or used the term "bosquiano." This online activity aims to further demonstrate the term's widespread recognition and support the museum's proposal to the RAE. The Prado has already conducted its own extensive search for the term's usage in historical texts, press articles, and online platforms as part of its application to the dictionary.

Highlighting the enduring appeal of Bosch, the Prado has also shared a video featuring Jerry Saltz, an art critic from New York Magazine. In the video, Saltz enthusiastically explores the Prado's dedicated Bosch gallery, describing the artist as a "magician, an alchemist, and a phenomenon of nature." While gazing at The Garden of Earthly Delights, Saltz reflects on the boundless power of imagination evident in Bosch's work and emphasizes the courage and passion inherent in the act of creation.

By uniting major European museums and seeking formal recognition for the adjective describing his unique artistic vision, the Prado Museum aims to further cement the legacy of Hieronymus Bosch for generations to come. The celebration of Bosch Day and the push for "bosquiano" in the dictionary underscore the artist's continued relevance and the profound impact of his fantastical and thought-provoking creations on the world of art.