Friday, 9 January 2009

King Henry VIII

Unknown Artist - Henry VIII (ca 1580) photo: The Royal Collection © 2008 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth IIThe 23 April 2009 will be the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne. To mark this occasion, there will be a special exhibition in the Drawings Gallery at Windsor Castle, from 8 April to 18 April 2010: Henry VIII: A 500th Anniversary Exhibition (title link). Henry was a teenager when he was proclaimed king, which might explain his reputation as Jack-the-lad and his rebellious attitude towards holier-than-thou father-figures who tried to tell him what to do. His need for a male heir famously took its toll on the ladies! If you can't wait until April, the National Portrait Gallery already has a display of lesser-known portraits of the king, Henry VIII Remembered, in Room 16 until 12 July (CLICK).

4 Comments:

At 9/1/09, Blogger Ian Brown said...

Oh, I really wish I could see this exhibition. I think I had read a bit about this portrait at my college.

 
At 9/1/09, Blogger Unknown said...

If you click the links, you'll find the full length version and a caricature at the NPG. The graphic I used is "after Holbein", which means they don't know who painted it, but it might have been Holbein or somebody copying his style. Ever seen "A Man For All Seasons"? If not, grab it when it's reshown on TV. Alexander Korda's old movie is well worth a look too. Their Henry's are based on the old paintings.

 
At 9/1/09, Blogger Ian Brown said...

I have seen "A Man For All Seasons". Its a good film, though their Henry was much too good looking.

 
At 10/1/09, Blogger Unknown said...

Yes. Robert Shaw, but a very powerful actor.

You might prefer the Korda version (London Films). Henry was played by flabby Charles Laughton, and he played him as uncouth, belching and throwing chicken bones over his shoulder for the dogs to eat or the servants to pick up. Hammy, but with a sense of humour, more entertaining than "A Man For All Seasons".

 

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