The Field of the Cloth of Gold, (detail) 1545, in the Royal Collection at Hampton Court
No English king is as well-known to us as Henry VIII. He is famous for six marriages, for breaking with the Pope, dissolving the monasteries, creating the Church of England, and for his ruthless elimination of those who stood in his way. But he was also an enthusiastic patron of the arts whose palaces, tapestries, and paintings enriched the Tudor court and began the Royal Collection. The forces that influenced Henry VIII’s life can be seen in the paintings he commissioned. They tell us much about his kingship and—unintentionally—his insecurities. Ultimately, each of the works contained some aspect of one central story: the glorification of Henry and his England.
In this richly illustrated lecture, Historic Royal Palaces lecturer Siobhan Clarke examines paintings, tapestries, sculptures, and engravings by artists including Hans Holbein, Pietro Torrigiano, Guido Mazzoni and Giralomo da Treviso that are housed in places such as Westminster Abbey, the Royal Collection Trust, and London's National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit*
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*Enrolled participants in the World Art History Certificate Program receive 1/2 elective credit. Not yet enrolled? Learn about the program, its benefits, and how to register here.
