OVERVIEW

The Ambassadors is one of Holbein's best known paintings. Nearly 7 feet square, it provides a life-size portrait of two French ambassadors in England. The painting contains many fascinating clues telling us about the two ambassadors while at the same time explaining why they are in England. Before completing this lesson, view The Ambassadors and follow the links that investigate the details of the painting.

1. Go back to the complete Ambassadors painting. What quality are Holbein's paintings famous for? Give an example of this quality.

THE PEOPLE IN THE PAINTING

3. Now consider Jean de Dinteville. Who was Dinteville? What are two ways Holbein shows us that Dinteville was an important person?

4. Study Dinteville's Dagger. Where does Holbein place Dinteville's age? How old is Dinteville?

5. Go go to Dinteville's Hat. What unexpected badge is affixed to Dinteville's hat? What unexpected detail does the badge tell us about Dinteville?

6. Study the other man in the painting, George DeSelve. Who was de Selve? What are two reasons why he is in England?

THE PARTS OF THE PAINTING

7. Now go to The Top Shelf. What type of objects are on the top shelf? What do they tell us about the interests of Dinteville and de Selve?

8. According to the sundials what is the exact date? Why is this an important date in English history?

9. What difficult mission were Dinteville and de Selve trying to accomplish?

10. Now go to The Bottom Shelf. Where does Dinteville live? How do we know?

11. What does the lute traditionally symbolize? What is wrong with the lute? What does this mean?

12. What pages are shown in the open hymnbook? What does the hymnbook tell us about the strategy the ambassadors will use in their attempt to persuade Henry VIII to refrain from leaving the Church? Do you think this will be an effective strategy?

13.The most famous part of the painting is probably The Skull. What is an anamorphosis? What anamorphosis did Holbein insert into the painting? What are three possible reasons why Holbein placed this object in The Ambassadors?

14. The Crucifix. provides a clue in the top left hand corner of the painting. What object is partially concealed by the green brocade? Why do you think Holbein included this object in The Ambassadors?

LINKS AND CONNECTIONS

Hans Holbien, the younger, also was well known for his woodcuttings. Read about Holbien and see some of his woodcuttings.

THINKING ABOUT THE PAINTING

15. List the 4 symbols Holbein painted to remind us of the transience of human endeavors.

16. One art historian wrote that The Ambassadors celebrates human achievements, "while at the same time reminding us of the ultimate futility of human endeavor." Do you agree or disagree with this interpretation? Explain your answer.

17. The Ambassadors was painted in 1533. Do you think it helped or hurt Holbein's career? Explain your answer.