That there is a portrait of French ambassadors on the floor. Hans Holbein the Younger. "Ambassadors" - an outstanding masterpiece of the Renaissance

K: Paintings of 1533

Holbein skillfully used various attributes to characterize the model. AT wonderful picture"Ambassadors" two richly dressed people (French ambassador to London Jean de Denteville and Bishop Georges de Selve) are depicted in front of a high table cluttered with many objects. They allude to their religious, intellectual and artistic interests. The strangest thing in the picture seems to be a certain elongated object placed in the foreground. If you look at it from the right, from a close distance, you can see that it is a skull.

Holbein in his work realizes the image of double vision - with a "direct" look of a person immersed in the routine of everyday life and not wanting to deal with the tragic metaphysics of earthly existence, death seems to be an illusory spot that you should not pay attention to - but with a "special" (implied - correct, deep) look, everything changes exactly the opposite - death turns into the only reality, and habitual life is distorted before our eyes, loses its meaning, acquiring the character of a phantom, illusion.

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An excerpt characterizing the Ambassadors (painting by Holbein)

- Come on! We seem to have different ideas about many things. It's normal, isn't it? - "nobly" reassured his baby. - Can I talk to them?
- Speak if you can hear. - Miard turned to the miracle Savia, who had come down to us, and showed something.
The marvelous creature smiled and came closer to us, while the rest of his (or her? ..) friends still soared easily right above us, sparkling and shimmering in the bright sunlight.
“I am Lilis…fox…is…” an amazing voice whispered. It was very soft, and at the same time very resonant (if such opposite concepts can be combined into one).
Hello beautiful Lilis. Stella greeted the creature joyfully. - I'm Stella. And here she is - Svetlana. We are people. And you, we know, Savia. Where did you fly from? And what is Savya? - questions again rained down like hail, but I didn’t even try to stop her, since it was completely useless ... Stella just “wanted to know everything!”. And it always has remained so.
Lilis came very close to her and began to examine Stella with her bizarre, huge eyes. They were bright crimson, with golden flecks inside, and sparkled like gems. The face of this miracle creature looked surprisingly delicate and fragile, and had the shape of a petal of our earth lily. She “spoke” without opening her mouth, at the same time smiling at us with her small, round lips... But, probably, their hair was the most amazing... It was very long, almost reaching the edge of the transparent wing, absolutely weightless and , not having a permanent color, they flashed all the time with the most different and most unexpected brilliant rainbows ... The transparent bodies of Savy were sexless (like the body of a small earthly child), and from the back they passed into “petals-wings”, which really made them look like big colorful flowers...

Renaissance

HOLBEIN, HANS THE JUNIOR (Holbein, Hans) (1497–1543), also Hans Holbein the Younger, German painter, one of the greatest portrait painters in Western European art.

Holbein's portraits are distinguished by a realistic and noble interpretation of images. An exceptionally versatile artist, he was the author of compositions on religious subjects, frescoes and interior decorations, created sketches jewelry and stained glass, worked in the genre of book illustration.

Holbein was born in Augsburg; he was the son of Hans Holbein the Elder, famous artist, masters of altar painting.

After studying in his father's workshop in 1514, he left for Basel, which at that time was the largest center of art and humanistic learning. Soon Holbein acquired patrons among prominent citizens, among whom was the humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam.

During his travels in Italy (in 1518) and southern France (in 1524), Holbein significantly expanded his horizons.

In 1528 he returned to Basel, and from 1530 he finally settled in London. In 1536 he became court painter to King Henry VIII.

During his years in England, he created approx. 150 portraits. Holbein died of the plague in London in 1543.

Holbein was a purely analytical portrait painter.

Direct work on the portrait was preceded by short period observation, during which the artist tried to determine for himself essential features the nature of the model. Each time he managed to give a strikingly accurate and comprehensive characterization of the personality of the person being portrayed.

Ambassadors. 1533. Oak board, oil. 207×209 cm National Gallery (London)

The painting is rightfully considered an outstanding masterpiece of the Renaissance.
The double portrait was commissioned by Jean de Dentelville, the ambassador of the French king in England (he is on the left).

The second person in the picture is Jean's friend, Georges de Selve, bishop of the French city of Lavour.

The picture is interesting for its composition and hidden meanings.

Two young men (both under 30, this is encrypted in the picture) are depicted in full height, on either side of the center.

Left - 29-year-old French ambassador to England Jean de Denteville (age indicated with Latin letters(that is, "his 29th summer"), engraved on the gold scabbard of the dagger).

On the right is Georges de Selve, Bishop of Lavoie, who visited London in April 1533.

To a young man 25 years old (Holbein notes his age on the book, on which he leans with his hand).

Denteville and Selva form a classic Renaissance couple: one figure represents energetic activity, the second - in-depth contemplation.

In the center is a bookcase covered with an oriental carpet and lined with various objects - they are the essence of the ambassadors' hobbies, show their mission and passions. On the upper tier there are instruments associated with the heavenly (astronomical globe, gnomon, quadrant), on the lower - with the earthly (earth globe, maps, compasses, lute, books).

The inscriptions on the globe are also one of the ways to characterize one of the heroes of the canvas.

They mark geographic points that have special meaning for Denteville. In particular, this is the castle of Policy (not far from Troyes) belonging to the ambassador, the first "place of residence" of Holbein's painting.

Attention is drawn to an oblong spot on the floor between the two ambassadors.

If you look at the picture in real size and move 2 m to the right, then the spot takes on its true shape - this is a skull. "The characters and all their scientific instruments disappear, and the sign of the End appears in their place. The play ends." (quote by Jurgis Baltrushaitis).

Holbein resorted to anamorphosis (intentional distortion of form).

And when the viewer begins to see the skull, everything else fades into the background.

What did Holbein mean?

No matter what happens, the end is always the same - death? "Memento mogi" (from Latin - "Remember death") - this is the motto of Jean de Dentelville.

Holbein also displayed this in the portrait.

There are three skulls in the picture!

One is an anamorphosis, the other is a brooch on de Dentelville's beret, and the third is in an anamorphic skull, you just need to look at a certain angle.

On the left is a small silver crucifix, almost lost in the folds of the green curtain - a symbol of atonement for sins and hope for salvation (the crucifix, unlike the whole picture, is black and white).

So, one side of the picture is earthly life, full of discoveries in heaven and on earth, philosophical and moral and ethical discussions. But there is a second, hidden one.

A rich collection of musical, astronomical and scientific instruments symbolizes the learning and power of these two people.

However, all this splendor and arrogance are in vain - in contrast to the luxury and wealth of the envoys, Holbein depicts the symbols of death: a broken string on a lute, a skull.

A collection of Lutheran hymns, opened on the psalm "Save, O Lord, our souls."

The sundial accurately indicates the time of action - 10.30 am on April 11 - the day of Good Friday in 1533.

Holbein revealed in this picture the spiritual delusion of many people - with the usual look of a person who has plunged headlong into the routine of everyday life and does not want to deal with the tragic metaphysics of earthly existence, death seems to be an illusory blurred spot that should not be paid attention to - but with the right , a deep look, everything changes exactly the opposite - death turns into the only reality, and habitual life is distorted before our eyes, acquiring the character of a temporary, not having real value phantom, illusion.

Holbein produced the famous series of drawings The Dance of Death (published in the woodcuts of Lyons in 1538); they depict death affecting representatives of different walks of life.

Hans Holbein was the court painter of King Henry VIII.

He painted a famous portrait of Henry VIII and his four wives (out of six).

Henry VIII (Henry VIII). Hans Holbein (Hans Holbein the Younger)

Henry VIII was married six times.
His wives, each of whom was backed by a particular political or religious faction, sometimes forced them to change their political or religious views.

Henry VIII. Portrait by Hans Holbein the Younger, c. 1536-37

The artist spent the last period of his life between Basel and London. In 1543, between October 7 and November 29, he died of the plague that raged in London at the age of 46.

Self-portrait. 1542. Uffizi Gallery

Hans Holbein the Younger (1497-1543 ) - painter, one of the greatest German artists. The most famous representative of this family.

He one of the best portrait painters of his time. His accuracy in the transfer of images was so good that the English king Henry VIII, (who changed six wives), before marrying again, first sent Hans Holbein to the bride to paint her portrait.

But he became famous for others. The fact is that he included riddles in the paintings, imperceptible or incomprehensible at first glance. Holbein had his own cipher, which others had to guess. ..

W Holbein's meaning german art is increased by the fact that he transferred to Germany heyday Italian Renaissance without losing its national character- in his works, the paths outlined in the portraits are palpable Durer..

Today we will get acquainted with one of these paintings by Holbein "AMBASSADORS" of 1533.

This double portrait by Holbein is an outstanding masterpiece of the Renaissance.

On the left, as established, is the 29-year-old French ambassador to England.Jean de Denteville, on right - Georges de Selve, Bishop of Lavoie, who visited London in April 1533. A young man of 25 years old, it is amazing how many important missions he was entrusted with at this age - he was an envoy to the Venetian Republic and in Vatican.

With many details of the picture, drawn out by the artist in an extremely realistic way, a strange object placed in the foreground of the canvas is contrasted. It forms the symbolic row of this work, turning out - upon detailed examination - a human skull distorted in perspective.

A lot has been written about this skull in the 20th century - in fact, it was he who made Holbein's masterpiece so popular in modern times.

The so-called anamorphosis is an optical illusion. Of course, this trick cannot be done on reproductions, but if, looking at the original of the picture, move a couple of meters to the right and stand almost close to the wall on which the picture hangs, then the skull will take its toll. natural form. It can even be photographed.

Art critics say that three skulls can be found in the picture! One is an anamorphosis, the other is a brooch on de Dentelville's beret, and the third is in an anamorphic skull, you just need to look at a certain angle.

H the skullcap is a symbol of death. This allegorical, crossing out good part paintings depicting the artist said to everyone who could understand him: scientific discoveries, progress, church quarrels, high positions, arrogance, money, power - everything is meaningless before the end that awaits each of us.

No matter what happens, the end is always the same death? memento moriis the motto of Jean de Dentelville.

This approach to Holbein's masterpiece makes the picture a poignant allegory of "vanity of vanities."

So, on the table, next to the man standing on the right, there is a multifaceted sundial. They (although this is not typical of a sundial) with their three hands show the date of creation of the picture - April 11, 1533. The ambassador's hand casually leans on a book, on the spine of which there is an inscription in Latin: "He is 25 years old." The age of the second ambassador (standing on the left) is inscribed in the design of the dagger in his right hand. From there it is clear that he is 29 years old.

Globes, maps and measuring instruments are a tribute to the surge of scientific and geographical discoveries of that era. After all, just 41 years ago, Columbus discovered New World, but only 12 years before the picture was painted, Captain Juan Sebastian del Cano was the first to circumnavigate the globe on the Victoria ship, which proved in practice that the Earth is round.

H and the lute, a popular musical instrument at the time, catches the eye on the bottom shelf. She has one string broken. Researchers believe that the broken string symbolizes church schism associated with the reforms carried out at that time by Martin Luther.

The artist himself confirms this conjecture by placing under the lute a book with verses of Latin hymns translated into German Martin Luther himself.

So Holbeinshows the views of Bishop Selva and his views on the then existing religious situation - to reform the church, but not to separate from the Vatican.

Man if you want to be happy
And abide in God forever
You must adhere to the Ten Commandments
given to us by God.

And, as if to confirm this, a crucifix peeps out from behind a velvet green curtain on the left - God is always watching us.
In this way Holbein in his work realizes the image of double vision - with a "direct" look of a person immersed in the routine of everyday life and not wanting to deal with the tragic metaphysics of earthly existence, death seems to be an illusory spot that you should not pay attention to, but with a "special"

(implied - correct, deep) look, everything changes exactly the opposite - death turns into the only reality, and habitual life is distorted before our eyes, loses its meaning, acquiring the character of a phantom, illusion.
OTHER WORKS OF THE ARTIST:

Venus and Cupid.

Portrait of Anna Klevskaya.

Portrait of Thomas More.

Portrait of Henry VIII.

Portrait of Edward the Sixth as a child.

Portrait of a lady with a squirrel.

Portrait of Moretta.

Long before 3-D glasses existed and Easter eggs became popular, Renaissance artists devised a way to attract visitors to their exhibitions - they played with perspective so that when looking at paintings from different angles were visible different images. One of the most famous examples of this technique is the double portrait of Hans Holbein the Younger "Ambassadors".

1. "Ambassadors" became a departure from the former style of Holbein

Initially, the Bavarian artist followed in the footsteps of his father Hans Holbein the Elder, painting on religious themes such as the Dead Christ in the Tomb. By the age of 30, Holbeins had made successful career, doing this kind of creativity, but he still decided to take the risk of starting to paint conceptually new paintings. Holbein went to England and then to Switzerland, after which he returned to London, beginning to paint secular portraits.

2. Erasmus helped increase the popularity of Holbein's portraits

The Dutch intellectual thinker Erasmus introduced Holbein to the representatives " high society". So the artist became known among members of the English court, the king's advisers, as well as people such as Thomas More and Anne Boleyn.

3. Heroes of the picture

The painting on the left shows Jean de Denteville, the French ambassador to England. This double portrait was painted on the eve of his 30th birthday. To the right of the painting is a friend and colleague of the diplomat, 25-year-old Bishop Georges de Selve, who worked as the French ambassador to the Venetian Republic.

4. Hidden age

If you look closely at the dagger held by Denteville, you can find the number "29" on its richly decorated scabbard. On the book Selv is leaning on with his elbow, there is the number "25". This prop was also used as symbols of their characters. The book signifies the contemplative nature of Selva, while the dagger signifies that Denteville is a man of action.

5. Detail from Westminster Abbey

In addition to the general recognition that Holbein paid great attention to the smallest details, art historians have praised his ability to make paintings in such a way that the viewer was given the impression that he could step right into the canvas. It is possible that Denteville saw this pattern on the floor in Westminster Abbey during the coronation of Anne Boleyn.

6. Details and size

Even on a computer screen, "Ambassadors" impresses with the fact that Holbein drew the smallest details. But close up, the picture is simply breathtaking - its size is 207x209 cm.

7. Painting as an element of status

Denteville commissioned the painting to immortalize himself and his friend. Following the tradition of such portraits, Holbein painted them in lavish outfits and furs, and surrounded the pair of friends with symbols of knowledge such as books, globes, and musical instruments. However, the thoughtful artist also included symbols in the painting that indicated the troubles these people were facing.

8. Art, politics and religious strife

Part of Denteville's work was reporting to the monarchs of France on what was going on at the English royal court. And during the divorce of King Henry VIII from Catherine of Aragon and subsequent marriage to Anne Boleyn, a lot of things happened there. Also at this time the English king renounced catholic church and her popes and created the Anglican Church. The ambassador's mission was completed in 1533, the same year Boleyn gave birth to a daughter, Elizabeth I, to her husband Henry VIII.

In the middle of the picture "Ambassadors" Holbein depicted a lute. Looking closely, one of the lute's strings is broken, creating a visual representation of "discord".

10. Holbein - royal painter

The German artist traveled to London in 1532 in the hope of finding wealthy patrons. And it worked. Despite the presence of Catholic symbols in the "Ambassadors", the king hired Holbein as a personal artist in 1535. Two years later, Holbein completed a portrait of Henry VIII, and although the original was destroyed in a fire in 1698, copies of the most famous portrait this controversial monarch.

11. The painting is one of the most famous examples of anamorphosis.

Anamorphosis is the depiction of an object in a way that intentionally distorts its perspective. To see an object properly, a certain vantage point is required. The first examples of anamorphosis in art are found in the 15th century (a sketch by Leonardo da Vinci, known today as the "Eye of Leonardo"). If you look at the "Ambassadors" from an acute angle, the white and black spot at the bottom of the picture turns into a human skull.

12. The skull is believed to be a reference to "Memento mori"

Medieval Latin theory focuses on the inevitable mortality of man and encourages people to abandon the vanity and joys of earthly goods, since life is still short. And the hidden skull is a symbol of the inevitability of death. Denteville, who commissioned the painting, was an admirer of Memento Mori. His personal motto was "remember that you will die."

13. Holbein hid the crucifix in the picture

In the upper left corner, behind a lush green curtain, you can see a crucifix with Jesus. Some art historians believe that this divine cameo is associated with the skull of Memento Mori and also alludes to death. Others believe that the hidden symbol represents the division of the church that took place in England under Henry VIII.

14. The layout of the painting is also associated with religion.

According to some art historians, the lower level, where the anamorphic skull lies, depicts death. The middle part of the picture (lower shelf), where the globe is visible the globe, Martin Luther's hymn and musical instruments, represents the world of the living, full of joy and effort. And finally, the top shelf, with its celestial globe, astronomical instruments, and hidden crucifix, symbolizes heaven and redemption through Christ.

15. Today "Ambassadors" are in London

The portrait first hung in the hall of the Denteville house. However, the National Gallery bought the Holbein painting in 1890. For more than 125 years, the painting has been one of the most valuable exhibits of the museum in London.

Hans Holbein the Younger is one of prominent representatives German Northern Renaissance - known as an outstanding portrait painter of his time. An important ideological component of the Northern Renaissance was the Reformation, which began in 1517, when Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the church in Wittenberg, criticizing Catholicism. A new religious trend was formed - Protestantism, which doubted the need for the church as an intermediary between God and man.

The Reformation and the new worldview touched all segments of the population and naturally influenced the cultural and artistic life of Europe - the artists were no longer bound by religious boundaries, the subject matter of the works expanded and changed. With the formation of the image of the "new man" - free, independent, purposeful, self-confident and "religiously renewed" - the portrait genre changes and becomes popular. The portrait became a pictorial necessity, and powerful people certainly wanted to capture themselves in their time.

Portrait of Charles de Solier. 1534-35

The portraits of Hans Holbein feel secular humanistic ideas, in which religious motifs and antique images are sometimes woven. These features are common to all northern revival, however, the images that Holbein creates are very peculiar. The people in his portraits are harmoniously and organically inscribed in the world of objects that surround them. In addition to external harmony, Holbein also conveys internal harmony - the faces are calm, balanced, and the person completely merges with his space. Albrecht Dürer painted portraits with a shadow of torment and suffering human soul, his characters are rebellious in nature. The specificity and attractiveness of Holbein's portraits is that he managed to show the world and man in his naturalness and clarity, conveying his optimistic, life-affirming worldview through them.

Hans Holbein was born in Augsburg, presumably in 1497, and studied painting with his father. But career great artist began when in 1514 he moved to Basel - one of the largest cultural centers that time. The first major work of the artist was illustrations for the work of Erasmus of Rotterdam "Praise of Stupidity". Rotterdam was for Holbein not just a customer, but also good friend. In addition to portraits and illustrations, Hans writes several religious paintings, and is also engaged in decorating interiors, woodcuts and painting facades.

However, in 1526, due to the flaring up in Basel religious clashes- Holbein, having received a number of recommendations from Rotterdam, moves to England and stays with Thomas More (then he paints his portrait). In two years he will return to Basel, but in 1532 he will finally move to England, leaving his wife and daughter in Switzerland. Much has changed in the years of his absence: the men of influence in London, who helped Hans on his first visit, fell out of favor with King Henry VIII; Thomas More, a staunch Catholic, was accused of treason and executed by the head of the newly minted Anglican Church.

King Henry VIII

Nevertheless, Holbein not only settles in a difficult environment, but also becomes the court painter of the king. During these years, Holbein wrote his most significant works- These are mainly orders from influential Englishmen. After the death of his wife, King Henry was looking for a candidate for a fourth marriage and to make right choice, instructed Hans to draw portraits of potential brides - so great was the trust in Holbein and his portraits.

In 1533 Holbein wrote one of his the best works- double portrait "Ambassadors". The painting depicts French envoys - Jean de Denteville and Bishop Georges de Selve. Denteville wanted a biographical portrait and described in detail to Holbein all the elements and details of the future masterpiece. The specificity of double portraits is that there is no single center for the viewer's attention - the figures of people complement each other with the help of objects, which in turn create a symbolic thread of the work. Double Portrait Unbelievable complex genre in painting, because it is important to maintain a balance between actors and at the same time show their connection with each other and with space.

Jean de Denteville is depicted on the left on the canvas in magnificent attire, which characterizes him as an important, significant person - he is a representative of religious secular power. His right hand rests on a dagger engraved with "AET SUAE 29" meaning "his 29th summer". The young Bishop Georges de Selve is less pompously dressed and looks much more modest than his friend. His age - 25 years - is indicated by the artist on the book under right hand bishop. It cannot be said that they are simply posing, on their serious faces there is calmness, dignity; they seem to reveal to the viewer their object world, share their way of life which combines the harmony of active and contemplative.

In the symmetrical composition, the figures of the ambassadors are separated by a high table with numerous objects. Here, the compositional diversity plays a decisive role, since the objects are not only the central element of the picture, but also characterize the characters as much as possible, emphasizing their lifestyle and sphere of interests. It turns out that the still life is almost the main semantic element of the picture here - it unites two people and at the same time emphasizes the individuality of each of them, and besides, it also characterizes the era.

Such a variety of subjects speaks of the versatility and education of these people - music, geometry, mathematics, astronomy; and also reflects the achievements of that time - the great geographical discoveries, achievements in astronomy, mathematics. On the lower shelf you can see a lute, a compass, a mathematics textbook, a globe, a case with flutes and a collection of Lutheran hymns, opened on the psalm "O Lord save our souls." The choice of these pages is not accidental - there is nothing in these lines that contradicts the principles of Christianity. Thus, Holbein and de Selve call for the reformation of the church on the basis of Protestantism, but without separation from the Vatican. A lute with a broken string is also a reminder of the growing church conflict and traditionally symbolizes death. The globe is turned in such a way that the viewer can see the most significant ambassadorial missions of Denteville, as well as his Polisi estate, in which the portrait will be placed. In general, we can say that on the bottom shelf there are items of "earthly" purpose associated with mental, professional activity and interests of ambassadors.

The upper shelf has items of "higher" purpose. A sundial, an astronomical globe, a quadrant and a gnomon - all these items are designed to comprehend the laws of the universe, space and time. Items on the top shelf of the bookcase seem to float on an exquisite oriental carpet over the entire earthly world. By the way, the carpet sets the style for the whole picture - without it, it would have turned out completely different. The green drapery is also very well chosen, which creates a depth of space and color. In the upper left corner you can see a part of a small silver crucifix, which always follows the deeds of a person and reminds of death. But the era of the Middle Ages is over, and here the face of Christ is only peeking out from behind the curtain.

Finally, we turn to the most interesting, mysterious and important element paintings. An incomprehensible elongated spot in the lower part of the picture is a human skull distorted in perspective. This element, strange at first glance, made Holbein's masterpiece so popular. The technique of deliberately distorting the shape was called "anamorphosis" and was first described in the notes of Leonardo da Vinci. To see the true image - a human skull - the viewer must move to the right of the center of the picture. Using a computer, you can try to change the viewing angle but, of course, the natural shape of the skull can only be seen on the original.

Holbein uses this optical technique to show the image of double vision when looking at life and death. When the viewer looks at the picture in the usual position - he sees the life of two people, with their interests, worries, joys; and death appears as an illusory stain, which is not worth paying attention to. But upon special consideration, death becomes the only reality, it crosses out the entire life-affirming part of the picture, life seems illusory and nothing scientific achievements, no power, no money, no progress - nothing seems real and meaningful in the face of death.

Hans Holbein created a real masterpiece - a picture in which all the humanistic ideas of that time are embedded. picture about true values being, life and death. Holbein painted not a portrait of two ambassadors, but a portrait of an era.