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The Ambassadors

Humanities Task 2

Work: Hans Holbein the Younger, the Ambassadors, 1533.

Period: Tudor

(A1) Initial Thoughts

The Painting has almost the same characteristics as the Portrait of Henry VIII which was also created by Hans Holbein the Younger in 1537. Henry VIII painting portrays a man who is aggressive in the royal family. The panting involved wearing royal accouterments, for instance, scepter, crow, or sword. The first man is in the Ambassadors has the same characteristic as Henry VIII since he is aggressive who stands in the Majestic position and facing the views directly. He also stands proudly with the intention either to protect a community, his life, or the royal family.

The second man on the right side of the painting seems humble with no weapon besides either to protect him or a specific globe of people. The man on the right side does not seem to be from a royal family but the fact that he is dressed on the religious cap, attire and a gaiter close to him, it is my view that the man is either ahead on a certain religious group or a strong Christian believer. My thought is that Hans Holbein might have used the painting to illustrate how leaders from various sectors wherein politics, religion, or economic can use the power within their means to better the lives of people in the entire community.

In the painting, the left man seems to be holding a weapon either is an indication that the people in the political sector have military weapons to protect their people during a war with other communities. The man on the left side has spiritual weapons such as a gaiter and the religious books beside him. He can be able to console the hearts of those suffering in society through the word of God from the religious book besides him.

(A2) Aspect of Interest

Based on the painting the man on the left is in the French Ambassadors to England named Jean de Dinteville while the right is Bishop of Lavaur who was the ambassador to the Papal court named George de Selve (Batschmann& Griener, 2008). The most interesting part is that despite the two gentlemen portrayed to be different on the social-economic status they lead they seem to be good friends. Secondly, based on their stance, the two men are self-assured on what they are aiming at in life.

(B1) Historical Context of the Period

The Ambassadors (1533) are also known as Jean de Dinteville and Georges de Selver. It was created during the Tudor period. Hans Holbein the Younger created the paint during the same year Elizabeth I was born in England. The painting is one of the most honor images in the National Gallery in London currently. The painting was created when there was religious difference involving Martin Luther's Germany and Henry, King Francis I. To a greater extent, the Ambassadors reflect the religious conflict. Jean de Dinteville, French ambassador on the left is shown puffed up in lynx fur, velvet, and silk an indication of the great services the ambassadors were supposed to report back to Catholic France about the progress in the England court. During the period the Martin Luther’s Germany translated the Bible and as a result Henry, King Francis I of France break from the Catholic Church (Barry, 2020). The painting was an indication of open reformation and humanist that have been thought to enter England. The painting shows the association between political and religious philosophies that eventually spread out through the European continent.

(B2) Biographical Insight into the Work

Holbein was a German citizen who was born in 1498 in Bavaria. Almost every person in his family including his father and uncle were a great artist during Gothic painting. Based on various researches Holbein the Younger was the most outstanding artist during his time. Holbein the Younger was mostly encouraged to be aggressive in a painting by his elder brother who was also a prominent painter during Younger time (Sherer, 2001). Initially Holbein the Younger specialized in religious painting but later he decided to major in portraiture. The artists starting working in Basle in Switzerland before he went to England in 1526. However, he returned to Switzerland in 1531 after spending more than five years.

Holbein the Younger is remembered today due to his effort during the Henry VIII period. he not only produced festive decorations and portraits but also designed precious objects, plates, and jewelry (Sherer, 2001). Holbein the Younger had a great connection when she arrived in England. He was introduced to Thomas More, Dutch humanity, and chancellor to Henry VIII. Through the connection, Younger was able to secure a contract with Henry VIII and painted various famous portraits in the National Portrait Gallery.

Work Cited

Batschmann, O., & Griener, P. (2008). Hans Holbein. Reactions Books.

Barry, M. P. (2020). Lesson 12: Hans Holbein and Kerry James Marshall.

Sherer, D. C. (2001). Anamorphosis and the hermeneutics of perspective from Leonardo to Hans Holbein the Younger, 1490--1533 (Leonardo da Vinci, Switzerland, Italy).

Wolf, N. (2004). Hans Holbein the Younger, 1497/98-1543: The German Raphael. Taschen.