This painting shows two wealthy, educated and powerful men. On the left is Jean de Dinteville, French ambassador to England in 1533. To the right stands his old mucker, Georges de Selve, Bishop of Lavaur.
The picture is in a tradition showing toffs with books and instruments. The objects on the top shelf include a celestial globe, a portable sundial (no good at night!) and other instruments used for understanding the heavens and measuring time. Among the objects on the lower shelf is a lute, a case of flutes, a hymn book, a book of arithmetic and a terrestrial globe, which, if studied carefully shows Australia. A little spooky because Australia was yet to be discovered when this painting was finished.
There's a distorted skull underneath the two men. If viewed from the right at a certain angle, the skull becomes normal. Was Holbein messing about or is there some strange message going on in this painting?
|
