Hans Holbein the Younger: Painting the Tudor Court
Art
•
32m
In this fascinating documentary historian Dr Nicola Tallis and author Franny Moyle dissect and unravel the meaning behind the famous paintings of the Tudor Court depicted by the renowned artist, Hans Holbein the Younger.
Born in Ausburg in 1497, Holbein worked as a painter and printmaker in Basel before moving to England in 1526 and being commissioned by the likes of Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell and Erasmus. So impressive was his style of painting that by 1535 he had become King's Painter to perhaps the most famous monarch of the Tudor dynasty, King Henry VIII. When we envisage Henry VIII, we undoubtedly picture his portrait painted by Hans Holbein the Younger.
Yet his résumé extended beyond portraits of the king. Perhaps his most impressive piece of artwork was of 'The Ambassadors', which he painted in 1533. The attention to detail in the piece and Holbein's ability to portray depth of field has led many to consider him one of the greatest portraitists in history.
Up Next in Art
-
Painting Elizabeth: Creating a Royal ...
Elizabeth I is one of the most iconic figures from British history - her image can be recognised in an instant. But this was no mistake, for Elizabeth’s portraits were an audacious act of spin to cement her image of female majesty. In this documentary Dr Nicola Tallis and Prof Anna Whitelock take...
-
The Fight to Paint
Women have been fighting to be seen as professional artists for hundreds of years.
Dr Kate Lister explores a brand new exhibition at the Tate Britain that features the work of over 100 female professional artists: 'Now You See Us: Women Artists in Britain 1520–1920'. Kate investigates the chall...
-
War Art of the Western Front
It was the war to end all wars. In 1914, catastrophe struck Europe as great power diplomacy failed and alliance systems mobilised vast armies against one another in a conflict that dragged on in bloody stalemate for four long years. Nations geared their entire economies towards victory and called...
