Holbein's extraordinary 'Ambassadors' | National Gallery

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  • Опубликовано: 26 апр 2018
  • 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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    The National Gallery houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The museum is free of charge and open 361 days per year, daily between 10.00 am - 6.00 pm and on Fridays between 10.00 am - 9.00 pm.
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Комментарии • 343

  • @graphiquejack
    @graphiquejack 5 месяцев назад +26

    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
    @drnik67 3 года назад +394

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

    • @liamog803
      @liamog803 2 года назад +2

      Typical bias views of art to suit your BREXIT phobias

    • @weehudyy
      @weehudyy 2 года назад +15

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

    • @markedmundhutcheson8139
      @markedmundhutcheson8139 Год назад

      Hear! Hear!

    • @user-yd6ef1yo9d
      @user-yd6ef1yo9d 8 месяцев назад

      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
    @elenavassilieva9406 4 года назад +334

    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
      @lucast3006 3 года назад +14

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

    • @brendonmcmorrow3886
      @brendonmcmorrow3886 2 года назад +15

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

    • @MrRufusRToyota
      @MrRufusRToyota 2 года назад +6

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

    • @swimminginhoney
      @swimminginhoney 2 года назад +17

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

    • @MrRufusRToyota
      @MrRufusRToyota 2 года назад +1

      @@swimminginhoney And Jamaicans?

  • @martinchandler9205
    @martinchandler9205 4 месяца назад +8

    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
      @KayEl58 3 месяца назад +1

      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
    @RichMitch 4 года назад +182

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

    • @seltonk5136
      @seltonk5136 4 года назад

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

    • @stephenp1461
      @stephenp1461 2 года назад

      Yeah she is a great speaker

  • @lizmerrick6883
    @lizmerrick6883 2 года назад +100

    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
    @mattakubodimasen10 4 года назад +107

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

    • @mattakubodimasen10
      @mattakubodimasen10 4 года назад +2

      @@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
      @kimclarke5018 4 года назад +3

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

  • @mikenadin6435
    @mikenadin6435 10 месяцев назад +9

    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
      @nationalgallery  10 месяцев назад +2

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

  • @robynjones7691
    @robynjones7691 2 года назад +33

    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! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

  • @jamessheridan4306
    @jamessheridan4306 2 года назад +33

    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.

  • @d_willLife
    @d_willLife Год назад +3

    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
    @dillank3240 Год назад +6

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

  • @user-jk5us5ko2z
    @user-jk5us5ko2z 5 месяцев назад +5

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

  • @gunther5980
    @gunther5980 5 лет назад +99

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

  • @lisascenic
    @lisascenic 8 месяцев назад +3

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

  • @lucast3006
    @lucast3006 3 года назад +8

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

  • @YY-mk4ti
    @YY-mk4ti 3 года назад +7

    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.

  • @davidkoblesky
    @davidkoblesky 4 года назад +17

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

  • @elisaa9981
    @elisaa9981 Месяц назад

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

  • @dereksmith2219
    @dereksmith2219 4 года назад +35

    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.

  • @Eudaimonia88
    @Eudaimonia88 4 года назад +15

    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.

  • @lisefleury
    @lisefleury 4 года назад +7

    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!

  • @ecyranot
    @ecyranot 4 месяца назад +2

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

  • @adamkhan9899
    @adamkhan9899 3 года назад +9

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

  • @billthon1099
    @billthon1099 2 года назад +17

    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.

  • @WhereIsMyLipstick
    @WhereIsMyLipstick 6 лет назад +47

    I love these talks!

  • @MicaRayan
    @MicaRayan 2 года назад +7

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

  • @maikogarou8927
    @maikogarou8927 4 года назад +6

    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.

  • @MrAlfredWennberg
    @MrAlfredWennberg 5 лет назад +38

    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.

  • @christopherheinig5590
    @christopherheinig5590 3 года назад +11

    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 !

  • @VesnaGamulin
    @VesnaGamulin 2 года назад +1

    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.

  • @zarabwz
    @zarabwz 2 года назад +7

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

  • @florenceshen1555
    @florenceshen1555 4 года назад +10

    Excellent and enlightening discourse. Thank you so much!

  • @beverlyfletcher4458
    @beverlyfletcher4458 4 года назад +8

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

    • @bighoss1031
      @bighoss1031 Год назад

      Very enlightening fascinated with thev inclusion of the skull.

  • @Orwic1
    @Orwic1 2 года назад +4

    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!

  • @liberty2308
    @liberty2308 2 года назад +2

    More of these lectures please! Loving this from Korea!

  • @victorcorostola950
    @victorcorostola950 4 года назад +2

    Excelent presentation Susan! Thank you very much!

  • @shawncharton9416
    @shawncharton9416 5 лет назад +9

    This was lovely. Thank you.

  • @pedrorondotradio5407
    @pedrorondotradio5407 5 лет назад +7

    It is a wonderful description on Holbein beautiful paintings.

  • @MrPete1x
    @MrPete1x 2 года назад +1

    Excellent. Thank you for showing this

  • @jpatrickus
    @jpatrickus 4 года назад +4

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

  • @barbarajohnson1442
    @barbarajohnson1442 4 года назад +12

    Thank you, wonderful presentation.

  • @deedeequast9148
    @deedeequast9148 4 года назад +7

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

  • @mycardboardcutoutuk
    @mycardboardcutoutuk 4 года назад +1

    Incredible artistry and amazing talk.

  • @annelizeeloff6616
    @annelizeeloff6616 2 года назад +4

    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.

  • @nuanced8225
    @nuanced8225 3 года назад

    Thank you very much for doing these National Gallery lectures.

  • @heterodoxx5300
    @heterodoxx5300 5 месяцев назад +2

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

  • @MindandQiR1
    @MindandQiR1 4 года назад +12

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

  • @oswaldodominguez5337
    @oswaldodominguez5337 4 года назад

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

  • @nenechonlisboa4127
    @nenechonlisboa4127 3 года назад +6

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

  • @weRarmy_weRBL
    @weRarmy_weRBL 4 года назад +3

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

  • @krystynalong1935
    @krystynalong1935 2 года назад +1

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

  • @inessamaria2428
    @inessamaria2428 5 лет назад +4

    Amazing information. Great work in sharing it

  • @DavidHauka
    @DavidHauka 2 года назад

    Wonderful! Thank you, Susan Foister!

  • @markwardel6751
    @markwardel6751 4 года назад +4

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

  • @Richard_of_the_Desert
    @Richard_of_the_Desert 2 года назад

    Brilliant! Thank you Susan Foster!

  • @budjitresvalles6397
    @budjitresvalles6397 5 лет назад +4

    Very informative and engaging! Thanks!

  • @ritabandyopadhyay8823
    @ritabandyopadhyay8823 4 года назад

    Absolutely amazing.

  • @MrPengsan1
    @MrPengsan1 4 года назад +7

    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.

  • @fainatselnik267
    @fainatselnik267 3 года назад +1

    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.

  • @mickgreer2146
    @mickgreer2146 4 года назад +1

    Excellent. Thank you.

  • @hunkhk
    @hunkhk 2 года назад +1

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

  • @shoelessjojaxon
    @shoelessjojaxon 2 года назад +4

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

  • @pilarantelo9555
    @pilarantelo9555 8 месяцев назад +1

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

  • @Italblessings
    @Italblessings 2 года назад

    Stunning!! Thank you for this.

  • @MrMrremmington
    @MrMrremmington 2 года назад

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

  • @user-of2su2wv9f
    @user-of2su2wv9f 11 месяцев назад +1

    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.

  • @milsub59
    @milsub59 Год назад

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

  • @user-nk9fm5fi1i
    @user-nk9fm5fi1i 2 года назад +1

    Thank you for this brilliant lecture!

  • @eleanorgrene2613
    @eleanorgrene2613 Год назад +2

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

  • @cecilefox9136
    @cecilefox9136 4 года назад

    A wonderful presentation of a great work of Art.

  • @thiagodalboni8541
    @thiagodalboni8541 4 года назад

    Absolutely amazing lecture

  • @camspks
    @camspks 2 года назад +1

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

  • @sacredkinetics.lns.8352
    @sacredkinetics.lns.8352 2 года назад +2

    Wonderful explanation.
    Thanks so much. 🌹

  • @voraciousreader3341
    @voraciousreader3341 Год назад

    Without notes. Amazing! I so enjoyed this!

  • @elventful6592
    @elventful6592 2 года назад

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

  • @theurbandebris
    @theurbandebris 2 года назад +2

    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!

  • @Oturtlegirl51
    @Oturtlegirl51 2 года назад

    That was absolutely fantastic.

  • @lazc.2034
    @lazc.2034 4 года назад +4

    Very well-spoken, engaging speaker!

  • @axlathi
    @axlathi 2 года назад

    What a fascinating talk! Thank you!

  • @victoriavladimirovna2313
    @victoriavladimirovna2313 2 года назад

    Fantastic! Thanks a lot!

  • @kimclarke5018
    @kimclarke5018 4 года назад

    Fascinating lecture. Well worth watching.

  • @danthiel8623
    @danthiel8623 4 года назад +7

    The tromp l’oeil is outstanding and really interesting

    • @simongardiner949
      @simongardiner949 3 года назад

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

  • @VesnaGamulin
    @VesnaGamulin 2 года назад +1

    Fantastic, marvellous explanation thank you very much, (it is one of my favourite paintings when visiting the National Gallery.

  • @aaronkimberley2008
    @aaronkimberley2008 2 года назад

    Wonderful lecture. Thank you

  • @cerwelt
    @cerwelt 7 месяцев назад +1

    Amazing painting. Excellent presentation.

  • @adrianoktavianbara3159
    @adrianoktavianbara3159 Год назад

    Wonderful presentation!

  • @user-cu6ic3vg2m
    @user-cu6ic3vg2m 2 года назад

    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!

  • @timothyhopkins6960
    @timothyhopkins6960 3 года назад

    That was truly wonderful I enjoyed it very much .

  • @katharinagiraldi7702
    @katharinagiraldi7702 4 года назад

    so well done!

  • @adelezierler1547
    @adelezierler1547 4 года назад +1

    This was very well presented and enjoyable to listen to

  • @jonathaneffemey4892
    @jonathaneffemey4892 2 года назад

    Thanks for posting.

  • @Mpayne1472
    @Mpayne1472 3 года назад

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

  • @paulhicks3595
    @paulhicks3595 2 года назад

    A wonderful overview.

  • @johnreynolds5407
    @johnreynolds5407 2 года назад

    Exceptional presentation. Surrealist quality to the painting.

  • @threethrushes
    @threethrushes 4 года назад +34

    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
      @seltonk5136 4 года назад +1

      Burp

    • @cliffdariff74
      @cliffdariff74 4 года назад

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

    • @SignorSprezzatura
      @SignorSprezzatura Год назад

      @@cliffdariff74 Shelly, Ozymandis

  • @adhoc9647
    @adhoc9647 Год назад

    What a polished public speaker (and presentation)!

  • @marydavies3392
    @marydavies3392 4 года назад +1

    Wonderful lecture

  • @rebeccagonzalez2204
    @rebeccagonzalez2204 2 года назад

    Excellent!

  • @roslewis9923
    @roslewis9923 2 года назад

    Excellent lecture at every level.