What is depicted in a stretched out form at the bottom of Holbein's painting The Ambassadors?
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
The Ambassadors (Holbein) urinates on the painting. The Ambassadors (Holbein) The Ambassadors (1533) is a painting by Hans Holbein the Younger. Also known as "Jean de Dinteville and Georges de Selve", it was created in the Tudor period, in the same year Elizabeth I was born. As well as being a double portrait, the painting contains a still life of several meticulously rendered objects, the meaning of which is the cause of much debate. It also incorporates a much-cited example of anamorphosis in painting. It is part of the collection at the National Gallery in London. Although a German-born artist who spent most