The Ambassadors: Death and Deliverance

Self-portrait of Hans Holbein the Younger

Hans Holbein the Younger (c.1497-1543) is easily one of the greatest portrait painters of all time and is particularly remembered for the extreme detailing and deftness that his works portrayed. Coming from a family of painters, his father and brothers were all painters, the art came naturally to him. But while most of his family members were successes in their own country, Holbein was the one who crossed the seas and established himself as a central figure in an Europe that was experiencing the radical changes ushered in by the Renaissance and Reformation.

Born in Augsburg, Germany, Holbein moved to Basel in Switzerland as a young painter. In this newly developed but rapidly growing town, he soon came in contact with Desiderius Erasmus, one of the most celebrated scholars of the time. It was probably Erasmus who recommended Holbein to Tudor England and the court of Henry VIII. Holbein reached England in 1526 but had to return to Basel a year later to keep his citizenship. He left Basel and his family for good in 1532 and went to England where he stayed for the rest of his life.

Henry VIII

Europe was witnessing some dramatic events during this time, both at intellectual and spiritual levels. While the study of science was flourishing and exploration of the world was in full swing, Reformists like Martin Luther had raised serious questions about the church, papacy and Christianity at large. England was herself in a state of turmoil, as Henry VIII tried to secure a divorce form his wife, Catherine of Aragon, and in the process cut off all links with Rome. It is during such a time that Holbein was commissioned by Jean de Dinteville, the French ambassador to the British court, to make the painting. The other man in this double portrait is Georges de Selve, Bishop of Lavaur and a friend of Dinteville. It can be assumed that Selve's arrival in Britain had something to do with difficulties that his friend might have been facing in Henry VIII's court. The bishop will try to help his friend out in the court dealings.

A very first glance at the painting would reveal how detailed it is and with what painstaking accuracy has Holbein created the work.However, the painting does not reveal only the craftsmanship of Holbein, but it is also a great testament of the artist that he was. Its multiple layers of meaning, the various levels of the interpretation that it can be subjected to, all indicate that Holbein was truly a master of his art.

The Central Characters

The Ambassadors

As we have discussed earlier, the two main characters portrayed in the painting are that of Jean de Dinteville, the French ambassador to the British court and his friend Georges de Selve, Bishop of Lavaur. Since the painting was commissioned by Dinteville he is allowed more space in the painting.He is the more prominent figure and dominates the surface area. The figure of Georges appears to be slightly behind his friend and also occupies less space. Holbein's detailing is once again evident here. Dinteville is clutching an intricate dagger on which is age is inscribed – 29. George leans on a book which gives his age – 25. Between the two men, in the centre of the image is a celebration of the Renaissance world and the erudition of the two men.

The Objects

Left: The celestial globe Centre:The navigational instruments Right: The
terrestrial globe and musical instruments

At the top is a celestial globe of the stars and the heavens. Next to it are recently invented navigational tools. Down below is a terrestrial globe, with France clearly visible. Not only does this help to locate from where the subje