The Ambassadors (Holbein) viewer must approach the painting from high on the right side, or low on the left side, to see the form as an accurate rendering of a human skull. While the skull is evidently intended as a "vanitas" or "memento mori", it is unclear why Holbein gave it such prominence in this painting. One possibility is that this painting represents three levels: the heavens (as portrayed by the astrolabe and other objects on the upper shelf), the living world (as evidenced by books and a musical instrument on the lower shelf), and death (signified by the skull). It has also
Ambassadors of the United States President of the United States (indicated in boldface below). Some notable ambassadors have included: Eight United States Ambassadors have been killed in office – six of them by armed attack and the other two in plane crashes. Ambassadors of the United States The diplomats serving as ambassadors of the United States of America to individual nations of the world, to international organizations, and ambassadors-at-large change regularly for various reasons, such as reassignment or retirement. The United States Department of State provides lists of ambassadors appointed to serve overseas which are updated periodically. (A recent list {pdf} was issued on December