The Ambassadors (1533) by Hans Holbein the Younger
The Renaissance, which originated in Italy and subsequently spread through northern Europe, was characterized by an emphasis on humanist philosophy. In particular, Renaissance humanism was a celebration of human achievement, reason, spirit, and physical beauty. The influence of humanism is demonstrated in many artistic works created during the Renaissance. For example, Hans Holbein the Younger’s The Ambassadors demonstrates an emphasis on human reason and the influence of European royalty on esoteric scholarship.
Holbein’s The Ambassadors portrays two educated men with instruments and books. The man featured on the left side is the 1533 French ambassador to England, Jean de Dinteville; to the right, is the bishop of Lavaur, Georges de Selve (“The Ambassadors”). Featured on the upper shelf is a celestial globe and portable sundial along with additional instruments used to study the cosmos and measure time. Additionally, the lower shelf includes a lute, a case of flutes, an arithmetic book, and a terrestrial globe.
The collection of objects portrayed in Holbein’s The Ambassadors demonstrates an emphasis on human reason which is characteristic of Renaissance humanism. For instance, the fact that objects such as a portable sundial and globes are featured in Holbein’s work suggests that such objects were important enough to require an artist’s rendering. Furthermore, such objects are used to objectively inquire about the natural world and thus pursue intellectual endeavors. Therefore, the portrayal of such objects in an artistic work is a celebration of intellectual pursuits and thereby human reason.
In addition, Holbein’s The Ambassadors demonstrates the influence of European royalty on esoteric scholarship. Holbein, along with many other Renaissance artists and scholars, were sought out by European royalty in order to commission works like The Ambassadors and King Henry VIII. Thus, by having artists such as Holbein create such works, European royalty directly supported the scholarship of many artists as well as other intellectuals. By supporting the scholarly endeavors of such artists and intellectuals, the emphasis of esoteric scholarship among European royalty during the Renaissance affirmed the humanist celebration of human achievement and reason.
Ultimately, Holbein’s The Ambassadors demonstrates the significant influence of humanist philosophy during the Italian and Northern European Renaissance. By featuring objects which are used to inquire about the natural world, such as globes and a sundial, Holbein’s work conveys a celebration of human reason and scholarship which is characteristic of Renaissance humanism. Furthermore, the underlying support of esoteric scholarship by European royalty during the Renaissance served as a catalyst which emboldened humanist philosophy by embracing the fruits of the human intellect.
Works Cited
“The Ambassadors.” The National Gallery. The National Gallery, n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2014.
< http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/hans-holbein-the-younger-the-ambassadors>
J.Cruz 