Identify the subject of Hans Holbein’s The Ambassadors, and briefly describe the symbolism of the painting

Please provide the best answer for the statement.


The ideal response will include the following:
The Ambassadors depicts two French ambassadors to the court of Henry VIII, Jean de Dinteville, on the left, who commissioned the painting, and Georges de Selve, on the right, who was the bishop-elect of Lauvau. Both represented the interests of Francis I, and, therefore, of the Catholic Church, and both were present at court to negotiate with Henry about his desire to annul his marriage to Katherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn, which ultimately led to the separation of the Church of England from the Catholic Church. Henry had actually married Anne in January 1533, three months before this work was painted. The Lutheran hymnal, the globes, and the astronomical instruments indicate the men’s willingness to mediate between Catholic and Protestant interests. The skull suggests that the two men understand the fate that awaits us all.

Art & Culture

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