The Ambassadors

The Ambassadors by Hans Holbein the Younger depicts two figures standing by a table with an array of then-modern scientific instruments, books and musical instruments. The main irregularity of the painting is an image of a distorted object in the center of the tiled floor, which, when seen from the proper angle, transforms into a recognizable skull. The location of the skull halfway between the two figures causes it to be unlikely that it represents the death of either one. Perhaps the artist simply included it as a reminder that death looms above all of us. In the upper left hand corner is a partially concealed figure of a crucified Jesus. Along with the profuse array of scientific inventions that dominate the picture and given the location of the religious symbol hidden in the background, the artist is promoting science over religion and faith. The dull, grey wall on which the figure is located, when compared to the vibrant colours of the instruments on the table, seem to support this idea.

The swastika-like symbols on the red tablecloth, although reminiscent of Nazi Germany, more closely follow the ancient symbol of “well-being”. Perhaps this can be explained by the title of the piece, as ambassadors are the forerunners of a peaceful resolution. However, this seems at odds with the items in the figures hands. The figure on the right is holding a pair of gloves, which might symbolize a hostile nature as people used them to signify a duel. The figure on the left is carrying what resembles a gilded dagger.

The figure on the right resembles the likeness of a monk, with his black robes and high white collar. On contrast, the figure on the left is dressed lavishly, almost like a king and stands closer to the viewer, which perhaps can be interpreted as a higher level of importance. Indeed, this figure is depicted very much like the famous portrait of Henry VIII (which I saw when I visited London and also saw in an English history class here at Berkeley). If the figure on the right resembles a monk, it can further be extrapolated into a symbol of the church. The same can be thought of as the figure on the left, but rather as the government. Throughout history, there has always been a conflict between church and state, which might explain the hostile nature of their demeanour. Extrapolating even further, this conflict might be based on the nature of the instruments that are on the table between the two figures.