The Wayfarer

"The Wayfarer" is a captivating painting by Hieronymus Bosch, currently housed at the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam. This circular artwork measures 71.5 cm in diameter and was originally part of a larger triptych or diptych, which included pieces such as "Allegory of Gluttony and Lust" "Ship of Fools" and "Death and the Miser."

The protagonist in "The Wayfarer" closely resembles the figure depicted in "The Path of Life" panel on the exterior of Bosch's "The Haywain Triptych." Interpretations of this character vary. Some scholars suggest that he stands at a crossroads, deliberating between the virtuous path on the right and a life of depravity on the left. Others posit that he symbolizes the prodigal son, returning home after exploring the broader world.

This painting has had a lasting influence on art. For instance, Tim Storrier's self-portrait, "The Histrionic Wayfarer (after Bosch)" which won the 2012 Archibald Prize, was directly inspired by Bosch's original work.