Holbein the Younger, the Ambassadors (old version, please see new version)

Summary

In 'The Ambassadors' by Hans Holbein the Younger, a painting from 1533, we encounter Jean de Dinteville and Georges de Selve, representing the active and contemplative life. The artwork, filled with symbolism, reflects the religious and political discord of the time, with objects like the broken-stringed lute and an anamorphic skull serving as a memento mori. The painting, a masterpiece of perspective and realism, contrasts the detailed earthly achievements with the transcendent and supernatural, reminding us of the limits of human knowledge and the inevitability of death.

Takeaways

• 🎨 'The Ambassadors' is a painting by Hans Holbein the Younger from 1533, housed in the National Gallery in London.
• 🤵 The painting features Jean de Dinteville, a French ambassador to England, and Georges de Selve, a bishop and ambassador.
• 🖌 Holbein, a Swiss painter, moved to England for work and later became the King's painter to Henry VIII.
• ⛪ The painting's context is significant as it was created during Henry VIII's break from the Catholic Church and the pope.
• 👔 Jean de Dinteville is depicted as a wealthy and successful man, indicated by his luxurious clothing and a dagger inscribed with his age, 29.
• 📚 Georges de Selve is portrayed more modestly, with his elbow resting on a book inscribed with his age, 25, symbolizing the contemplative life.
• 🌐 The painting is divided into celestial and terrestrial spheres, with objects like a celestial globe and a lute representing the heavens and earth.
• 🎵 The lute's broken string is interpreted as a symbol of the discord in Europe and the church at the time.
• 💀 The prominent anamorphic skull in the foreground serves as a memento mori, reminding viewers of death and the limits of earthly life.
• 🔍 The painting juxtaposes realistic representation with the distorted image of the skull, suggesting the contrast between earthly achievements and spiritual truths.
• 🕊️ The inclusion of a hymn by Martin Luther and a subtle crucifixion sculpture hint at the religious tensions and the Reformation's impact on the period.

Q & A

What is the primary subject of Holbein's 'The Ambassadors'?

The painting primarily depicts Jean de Dinteville and Georges de Selve, an ambassador from France and a bishop respectively, both in England during a period of religious and political turmoil.

Why did Hans Holbein move to England?

Holbein, a Swiss painter, moved to England to find work, and he eventually became the painter to King Henry VIII of England.

What was the political climate in England during the time 'The Ambassadors' was painted?

England was experiencing a tumultuous period with King Henry VIII on the verge of breaking away from the Catholic Church and the Pope in Rome.

How are the two men in the painting dressed, and what does their attire signify?

Jean de Dinteville is dressed in luxurious fur-lined cloak and velvet, indicating his wealth and success, while Georges de Selve is more modestly dressed in a fur cloak. The contrast symbolizes the active versus the contemplative life.

What objects on the shelves represent the celestial and terrestrial spheres?

The top shelf contains objects related to astronomy and time measurement, representing the celestial sphere, while the lower shelf has a terrestrial globe, a lute, a book on arithmetic, and a hymnal, representing the terrestrial sphere.

What does the broken string on the lute symbolize?

The broken string on the lute is understood by art historians to symbolize the discord in Europe and the church at the time.

What is the significance of the skull in the foreground of 'The Ambassadors'?

The skull, which is an anamorphic image, serves as a memento mori, a reminder of death, and underscores the transient nature of earthly achievements and the inevitability of mortality.

How does the painting use perspective to create a sense of reality and illusion?

The painting uses perfect linear perspective to render the mosaic floor and other objects realistically, while the skull is distorted through anamorphic perspective to create an illusion that is only visible from a specific angle.

What is the significance of the hymn book open in the painting?

The hymn book contains a translation of a hymn by Martin Luther, a key figure in the Protestant Reformation, reflecting the religious tensions of the time.

What does the presence of the crucifixion sculpture in the upper left corner of the painting signify?

The crucifixion sculpture represents the promise of Christ's sacrifice on the cross and points to the limits of earthly life and knowledge, as well as the promise of salvation.

How does Holbein's representation of the skull contrast with the rest of the painting?

Holbein represents the skull unnaturalistically through anamorphic distortion, contrasting with the realistic depiction of earthly objects, suggesting a distinction between the material world and the transcendent or supernatural.