Holbein's extraordinary 'Ambassadors' | National Gallery

Who were the French ambassadors so elegantly depicted in Holbein's masterpiece and how did King Henry VIII's astronomer become involved? Find out all this and more with Susan Foister, our Deputy Director and Director of Public Engagement.
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[@graphiquejack]

One detail the lecturer didn't mention, the floor is in fact a representation of the cosmati/mosaic stone at the high alter in Westminster Abbey, which is where monarchs are crowned. This could be a face-value reference to the coronation of Anne Boleyn which is why the Ambassadors were in England at the time, or another reference to time and the heavens, as the mosaic is a complicated representation of the cosmos.

[@drnik67]

These lectures by the National Gallery are absolute gems. What a wonderful resource we have access to.

[@liamog803]

Typical bias views of art to suit your BREXIT phobias

[@weehudyy]

@@liamog803 Do you ever get tired of forcing your own limited world view on to everything ?

[@markedmundhutcheson8139]

Hear! Hear!

[@user-yd6ef1yo9d]

The most obvious feasture of the painting --which goes unremarked here--is the extraordinary inflation of the King's actual physique. Holbein wisely chose to please the King and ensure that his own physique is not abruptly shortened by order of the King.

[@elenavassilieva9406]

This lady (Susan Foister?) is such a good speaker and her English is so correct and the pronunciation is clear and perfect. Her lecture is good not only for those who are interested in Art, but also for those who are improving English language skills.

[@lucast3006]

I agree completely. I find it interesting that you capitalize Art; you must have a lot of reverence for it.

[@brendonmcmorrow3886]

She is extremely knowledgeable and a highly effective communicator. Her books are certainly worth a look.

[@MrRufusRToyota]

She’s English. She speaks English. I’m American. I speak American.

[@swimminginhoney]

@@MrRufusRToyota Haha I'm sorry to say that Americans still speak English. It is the same language.

[@MrRufusRToyota]

@@swimminginhoney And Jamaicans?

[@martinchandler9205]

In todays 24 hours I know 38 minutes and 23 seconds were spent valuably. Thank you I will now make the single bus journey from my home to stand in awe before this wonderful piece of art.

[@KayEl58]

It took me by surprise when I saw it in the early 1980's. I stood staring at it for about twenty minutes before my companion dragged me away!

[@RichMitch]

You can see why she's the director of public engagement. Great talk

[@seltonk5136]

Rich Mitch don’t like her ghetto accent dudes in the painting look foolish

[@stephenp1461]

Yeah she is a great speaker

[@mikenadin6435]

I was startled by this painting when I first saw it! I am pretty much house bound now so these excellent NG talks are a godsend.

[@nationalgallery]

We're pleased to hear you're enjoying our talks, thank you for watching.

[@lizmerrick6883]

I love Dr. Foister's presentations. She has a passion for Holbein and the history of the time. A great storyteller and art historian.

[@mattakubodimasen10]

These people are basically giving full lectures aboute a masterpiece in 40 minutes. Amazing truly

[@mattakubodimasen10]

@@seltonk5136 the thing you do with your butt? I'm more of a one quick hit person if I can judge myself. I think I used to do longer ones when I was in kindergarten, but once you go to school you really have to learn to control them amiright?

[@kimclarke5018]

Selton K you are a heathen and need to stop commenting because it is obvious you have little education. Troll.

[@d_willLife]

I saw this painting in 2006. One of the main reasons I went back to the gallery at least two more times before going back home.

[@dillank3240]

This was my favourite painting in the whole National Gallery. I am glad I found this.

[@robynjones7691]

A tour de force presentation of a tour de force painting! Clarity and conciseness with erudition. Not a pause or stumble to be heard. Bravo! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@user-jk5us5ko2z]

Fantastic presentation, so accurate and informative as well as inspiring. Thank you so much.

[@jamessheridan4306]

This is my first 'trip' to the NG since 1984!. I must say that though I'd much prefer being there in person, it is a thrilling compensation to be able to observe details in close-up that wouldn't be possible otherwise. A wonderful visit in this time of pandemic.

[@elisaa9981]

I saw this painting at the National Gallery about 25 years ago. It was absolutely amazing!

[@lisascenic]

Thank you for sharing your fascinating insights into this enigmatic painting.

[@nationalgallery]

Thank you for watching :)

[@gunther5980]

I esp liked this presentation, the lady is a very good narrator.

[@napoleonsdauphin]

Isn't she wonderful?

[@YY-mk4ti]

I originally was just here to find the Universal S thing but I ended up watching the whole video lol. Amazed how detailed this painting is and the handful of messages it could be trying to express.

[@ecyranot]

What a beautiful, beautiful work of art. And a talk to match.

[@lucast3006]

I’m not a big art person, but I sure do love this painting. I’m obsessed with it.

[@davidkoblesky]

These National Gallery Talks are fantastic. Please keep making them!

[@Eudaimonia88]

An amazing lecture by a fascinating and erudite individual. Susan Foister is simply magnificent, much like the painting on which she is lecturing. Thank you.

[@heterodoxx5300]

Wow she delivers an excellent presentation of a marvelous piece of art. Thank you for publishing it. Very inspiring!

[@billthon1099]

We are hooked and watching all of these fantastic lectures. Cant wait to get back to the gallery and re visit all these masterpieces. Wonderful information and knowledgeable lecturers.

[@MicaRayan]

That is a great history and art lesson. Thank you Lady ☕❤ I can listen hour and hours to her curation

[@zarabwz]

Brilliant presentation by Susan Foster! Excited to see the painting tomorrow! THANK YOU FOR THESE VIDEOS!

[@VesnaGamulin]

Can't wait to go back to London and the National Gallery to admire all those valuable art collections. Thank you once again Dr. Foister.

[@lisefleury]

In this time of confinement, what a wonderful gift to be able to travel to Europe and view these masterpieces up close and travel around with their provenance. Merci!

[@adamkhan9899]

Watching this in front of the painting itself in room 2 at the gallery is such a joy

[@dereksmith2219]

A very comprehensive discourse presented in great detail. I have viewed this picture many times but found much much more to see and understand with Susan Foister's help. Thank you Susan very much.

[@liberty2308]

More of these lectures please! Loving this from Korea!

[@florenceshen1555]

Excellent and enlightening discourse. Thank you so much!

[@Orwic1]

These lectures are superb - they are invaluable learning resources. Although I have visited the gallery many times, having the lectures available online enhances the value I get from looking at the paintings in the gallery itself. Coincidentally, I was asked recently what my ‘favourite’ paintings were. I had a long list, but this was one of them!

[@christianfrommuslim]

Excellent presentation and insights. I do appreciate that Susan was not afraid to state the contrast between the certainty of death and the hope of Christians. It is merely reflective of the belief, but commentators are usually ignorant of or afraid to represent it clearly.

[@MrAlfredWennberg]

What a stunning painting and such a carefully planned one as well. For such an early creation date it really is superior to most other paintings of that time that still looked very medieval and lacking in detail. It is also fascinating how these scientific instruments were so simple compared to our digital ones and still so advanced mathematically and astronomically at the same time.

[@camspks]

Best thing I've watched in s long, long time! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@krystynalong1935]

Thank you, the gallery talks have given the general public an opening into the art world.

[@christopherheinig5590]

Incredible lecture and having seen this masterpiece I stood in front of for an hour in awe !everyone should see this marvellous presentation . Thank you National Gallery !

[@mariellouise1]

Painted in turbulent times, the painting seems to represent an awareness of a rift between Science and Faith; between the secular world and the religious.

[@maikogarou8927]

Mrs Susan Foister is exceptional at presenting a deep and curious dissertation of Art. I am off now to search for other presentations from her.

[@cliffdariff74]

This woman is marvelous.... no podium, no notes. She knows her art techniques, art history and artists. Damn, can we see the tapestry, the threads look like pixels! I do think the warped skull just doesn’t belong...it’s not hidden. It’s difficult to believe Holbein did not leave written notes about this??

[@beverlyfletcher4458]

What a marvellous exposition. I never knew who they were and we are so fortunate to have this masterpiece. Thank you.

[@bighoss1031]

Very enlightening fascinated with thev inclusion of the skull.

[@shoelessjojaxon]

Absolutely fascinating! Such an illuminating lecture. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@annelizeeloff6616]

So interesting, my daughter showed me this painting. She is studying Fine Arts at the University of the Free State, this has inspired me to do some research on art history and I love it.

[@pilarantelo9555]

Wonderful lecture ! The subject, the pace, the clarity. Many thanks!

[@threethrushes]

Time travel exists: for almost 40 minutes, we were transported almost 500 years ago in time. We learnt a little about European mores, culture, art, mathematics, science, religious views - and philosophy. Some 300 years after Holbein painted Ambassadors, another artist - a poet - would challenge our view of the world asking us to 'Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair.' I remain humbled by my gaping lacunae of art history knowledge, and I am grateful to Susan. Hinc lucem at pocula sacra.

[@seltonk5136]

Burp

[@cliffdariff74]

Well as an American, of course I have to ask... Who is that poet you referenced ??

[@SignorSprezzatura]

@@cliffdariff74 Shelly, Ozymandis

[@WhereIsMyLipstick]

I love these talks!

[@danthiel8623]

The tromp l’oeil is outstanding and really interesting

[@simongardiner949]

We are only enabled to see this outstanding 'trompe l'oeil' thanks to the major restoration carried out in the 1990s.

[@MindandQiR1]

What an amazing, extraordinary painting! Thanks for this great lecture.

[@hunkhk]

Such wonderful story telling - Susan Foister is a masterpiece her self, fascinating. Thank you

[@nenechonlisboa4127]

Thank you so so much Mrs Foister! I love your presentation: clear, instructive and enthralling!

[@adhoc9647]

What a polished public speaker (and presentation)!

[@eleanorgrene2613]

An excellent lecture that conveys both learning and enthusiasm. Thank you

[@S_--]

It has the exact style of writing an infinity symbol as the S we used to write at school on the red cloth thats on the table

[@jacobcdefg]

She's a fantastic lecturer

[@MrPete1x]

Excellent. Thank you for showing this

[@andrzejmaranda3699]

The National Gallery: GREAT PRESENTATION!

[@user-of2su2wv9f]

Thank you for your videos. For helping see these paintings and drawings, to understand how paint is placed on wood and canvas and could look like that. Marvelous.

[@shawncharton9416]

This was lovely. Thank you.

[@MrPengsan1]

Thank you for this informative video... wonderful lecture, it's as though I were standing in front of The Ambassadors (which I last saw in 2017!) Susah Foister's voice is authoritative and soothing at the same time.

[@MamaByNature]

I wish I was able to obtain one of his paintings. I have commented on another video but I am a descendant of Hans Holbein. This is so amazing ❤️

[@TesterAnimal1]

You and several million others.

[@deedeequast9148]

Astounding, elusive work of art. Thank you, Dr. Foister, for an excellent and informative discourse.

[@pedrorondotradio5407]

It is a wonderful description on Holbein beautiful paintings.

[@Zippy15]

I watched this for over half an hour before seeing the skull. I immediately gasped! What a unique piece of historical art.

[@barbarajohnson1442]

Thank you, wonderful presentation.

[@mycardboardcutoutuk]

Incredible artistry and amazing talk.

[@ritabandyopadhyay8823]

Absolutely amazing.

[@nuanced8225]

Thank you very much for doing these National Gallery lectures.

[@jpatrickus]

Absolutely riveting. I so enjoyed this sitting. Thank you.

[@victorcorostola950]

Excelent presentation Susan! Thank you very much!

[@jeremystark3350]

What an amazingly odd artwork clearly showing division within. Cool hidden meanings.

[@oswaldodominguez5337]

Extraordinary, really enjoyed this presentation. Susan Foister truly magnificent.

[@milsub59]

Masterpiece is overworked these days. What a wonderful presentation of and incredible double portrait.

[@lazc.2034]

Very well-spoken, engaging speaker!

[@sacredkinetics.lns.8352]

Wonderful explanation. Thanks so much. 🌹

[@inessamaria2428]

Amazing information. Great work in sharing it

[@weRarmy_weRBL]

Truly enjoyed this one... full of knowledge and information. Great work by the curator and the National Gallery

[@user-cu6ic3vg2m]

This lady is an excellent narrator, she gave so much details of Art itself and historical background for me to view this piece of Art！ And her english speaking is so elegant and precise, hopefully I can listen from her again！

[@markwardel6751]

great talk, interesting and informative. Susan Foister is a wonderful and engaging speaker.

[@cecilefox9136]

A wonderful presentation of a great work of Art.

[@lilianalocicero6722]

🎨💎💎💎💎💎" Ambassador " Hans Holbein !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for explain all the details.♥♥

[@DavidHauka]

Wonderful! Thank you, Susan Foister!

[@TheMistyfyingOne77]

Beautiful ❤

[@fainatselnik267]

Absolutely jealous - gorgeous presentation and as usual all citations are immaculate. In love and lust for true ‘gold’ of centuries of beauty and brilliance. Also the presenters are fantastic - it full of joy and light.

[@Oturtlegirl51]

That was absolutely fantastic.

[@Mpayne1472]

Oh my. This takes me back 40 years. My teacher had this and Guernica on his classroom wall

[@budjitresvalles6397]

Very informative and engaging! Thanks!

[@theurbandebris]

Very informative. Amazing explanations and discovering anew about this oeuvre even I’ve read about this on so many art history books. Or maybe I’ve been refreshed again? Awesome art talk! Kudos!

[@mickgreer2146]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@Richard_of_the_Desert]

Brilliant! Thank you Susan Foster!

[@thiagodalboni8541]

Absolutely amazing lecture

[@cerwelt]

Amazing painting. Excellent presentation.

[@user-nk9fm5fi1i]

Thank you for this brilliant lecture!

[@axlathi]

What a fascinating talk! Thank you!

[@barni42]

A very good lecture, very interesting. I’ve always found this painting fascinating, a Pandora’s box of meanings. There are so many juxtapositions in this painting, religion and politics, earth and the ephemeral, science and the arts. I’ve often pondered over the concept of the skull in the foreground as showing us not only our mortality, as addressed so well in this lecture, but maybe also the spiritual, beyond our knowing or knowledge. Who knows. Amazing painting anyway.

[@Italblessings]

Stunning!! Thank you for this.

[@MrMrremmington]

Wonderful. What a fascinating painting. Thoroughly enjoyed the presentation.

[@voraciousreader3341]

Without notes. Amazing! I so enjoyed this!

[@kimclarke5018]

Fascinating lecture. Well worth watching.

[@elventful6592]

This is the most interesting and informative lecture. It brings alive the picture when you see it. Fabulous

[@Pola_B_Alex_Art]

Amazing!💗💗💗