Close your eyes and imagine Henry VIII: the chances are that you are summoning the image of the Tudor king created by Hans Holbein the Younger. The unprecedented success of Holbein's rebranding of Henry not only served as the centrepiece for a revolutionary refoundation of the Tudor monarchy but it also cemented the king's position within popular culture memory. This course will examine Holbein's work in the context of unprecedented religious and political change and consider whether the artist's work contains clues as to contemporary criticism of the most famous Tudor king.
Course details
Tutors
Aims
This course aims to:
• provide a thorough understanding of Holbein’s role at the court of Henry VIII
• introduce you to a wide range of Holbein’s work
• consider the role of art in representing Tudor power
Content
Hans Holbein’s work is inextricably linked to the image of Henry VIII. Yet, Holbein was not even the most highly paid painter at the Henrician court. This course seeks to set Holbein’s extraordinary work in the wider context of conflict and change which characterised the world of Henry VIII. You will have a chance to consider afresh some of the most famous images, including the Whitehall Mural and The Ambassadors, whilst looking beyond these to some of Holbein’s lesser-known contributions (clock designs, table ornaments). You will learn about contemporary views of Holbein alongside the views of posterity.
This course will investigate who exactly Hans Holbein was and what his role was at the Tudor court. How much agency did Holbein have in the compositions of his work? Do the paintings contain hidden messages? And who were the paintings for? You will have a chance to consider the complexity of using visual material as a historical source. We will use Holbein’s paintings to consider the impact of imagery and the construction of reputation.
Presentation of the course
This course will be taught over five sessions. In each session students will be presented with a thorough analysis of the topic. Students will be encouraged to consider primary material and to discuss ideas within the group.
Course sessions
1. Early years: proving worth
2. Arrival in England: Holbein and More
3. Return to England: Painting the court
4. Rebranding Henry
5. Working for the King
Learning outcomes
You are expected to gain from this series of classroom sessions a greater understanding of the subject and of the core issues and arguments central to the course.
The learning outcomes for this course are:
• to foster a comprehensive understanding of Holbein’s involvement at the court of Henry VIII
• to consider how best to use visual material as historical primary evidence
• to reflect on the development of the image of the Tudor monarchy