Fabulous. I had been hoping that you would produce a lecture on The Ambassadors. I’m lucky enough to see this painting regularly and I never tire of learning about it. I like the humility and honesty you present your learning with. Too many experts tells us “facts” that are simply generational suppositions. I am always astonished by the level of detail Holbein went into for a relatively low key commission (I mean relative to many of his more famous subjects). The time taken to render the carpet and curtain alone are anathema to the modern attention span. I am also struck by the bravery of the symbolism; Tudor times were dangerous to be making any kind of permanent statement - the wind could change at any moment and heads would roll. I wonder if this painting was more of a passion project for Holbein than his other commissions given the ostentatious experimentalism of the skull and plethora of symbols. For a painting so famous and fascinating today to have been so absent from the records of the day is intriguing. Is there any suggestion this painting had a more clandestine aspect to its execution than his other works?

I love this channel! Thank you for these excellent videos! I hope you are doing well and will come back and share more Art Stories with us!

I have seen this painting and have always liked it. Your description is the very best I have ever heard! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Fantastic, will go see it again when National Gallery reopens! Thanks so much for taking time to make this!

Loved this! Thank you for doing this.

very good. I always look forward to your post :)

This painting full of symbolism. Thank you 🙏

Excellent…Congratulations!

Awesome

A couple of clarifications: Katherine of Aragon was the daughter of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, which were two regions of what we would now call Spain. Portugal was a completely different country and Katherine’s mother was not Portuguese. Anne Boleyn was not a Protestant. She did believe in religious reform but Protestantism was not a defined sect at this point, at least not in England or France. She could be described as being Evangelical, believing in most Catholic traditions and beliefs, but believing that laypersons should be able to read the Bible in their native language and that certain corruptions within the church should be rectified. These were beliefs she learned in France when she was serving in the court of Francois’ wife, Claude and she admired and likely befriended Francois’ sister, Margaret, who definitely had similar religious leanings. The Ambassadors would be preparing for the coronation of Anne Boleyn in late May/early June. The mosaic they are standing on in the painting is actually at the high alter of Westminster Abbey, where Anne is soon to be crowned. This is not about her marriage, which had already happened at this point. She and Henry secretly married at least once, on or around Jan 25, 1533. She was already pregnant and Henry wanted to ensure the child would be legitimate, but technically, the annulment of his first marriage to Katherine hadn’t been settled or announced yet. In Henry’s mind, he was a single man his whole life, never being legally married to Katherine, so he was free to marry Anne at any time. Most other people would have considered this bigamy. The message of the painting is interesting. It seems to talk a lot about religious division and you might assume that Holbein and the Ambassadors are against this… and perhaps they are. However, we know that Anne Boleyn was pro-French and Francois I supported her upcoming marriage to Henry in an earlier visit to Calais in late 1532. In fact, it was Francois’ support that gave Henry the courage to finally defy the Pope and Katherine’s nephew, Charles V of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor. Anne was also a patron of Holbein and could have introduced him to the Ambassadors for this commission. Holbein was previously connected to Thomas More as you mention, who was about to be arrested for his objection to the break with Rome and the new marriage. Where Holbein’s loyalties between More and Anne is confusing, and what were his actual religious beliefs? Did he simply switch sides and align himself with Anne and Henry because that’s where the commissions were coming from, or did he also believe in religious reform, as a German who would have been aware of Luther’s schism?

Great video, many thanks, Please could post a link to the HD Google image you mentioned?

I would love a series presenting art periods like impressionism, or history art or whatever. Sometimes Its hard for me to connect the dots around the same types of art, even more when I have to tie it up with music (wich I am currently studying). I love your vids. I can just click any vid and humbly learn to apreciate art better.🔥

waoww I'm very impressed!!

Very interesting and thought-provoking indeed. When I started properly looking at this subject many years ago I began suffering massively from cognitive dissonance after a while. The more I delved into the "secret religion" the more I battled with myself about the enormity of what has transpired over many thousands of years. I think at one point I had what would be classed in the medical world as a mental breakdown. What I had been taught in my life through education, culture, family, and friends was all now in total opposition to what I could see and it messed with my brain. It has taken many years and the journey has taught me much about myself. Suffice to say, if you are struggling to get your head around the enormity of what they have done and are currently doing hang in there. I know how you feel and how empty and hopeless it can seem. You are not alone in your madness ;)

Very interesting. I just did a short video on this and your video was suggested. I am still tempted by quite occult themes. There’s a lot that just doesn’t make sense. Thanks for what you are doing

Pure Beauty 😂 Thanks!

Wat een pracht en praal !!

Zeer leerzaam. Bedankt voor dit verhelderend en verrassend commentaar. Very instructive, thank you for these enlightening and surprising comments.

🤳🤗