Henry VIII Revealed: The Legacy of Holbein's Portraits

Hans Holbein's portrait of Henry VIII perished in fire in 1698, yet has remained the definitive image of the English monarch, through a number of derivations down to modern cinematic portrayals. Written to accompany an exhibition at the National Museums & Galleries on Merseyside (UK) and prompted by the restoration efforts surrounding one of the more famous derivations, this primary essay in this text explores the aesthetic and political roots of Holbein's portrait. A secondary essay looks at more technical matters, comparatively examining the portraits painted after Holbein. Distributed by the U. of Washington Press. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR