'Packed with absorbing detail and brilliant insights ... I was gripped from the first paragraph.' - Alison Weir
No English king is as well-known to us as Henry VIII - famous for his six marriages, for dissolving the monasteries and for the ruthless destruction of his foes. But Henry was also an ardent patron of the arts, whose magnificent tapestries and paintings adorned his lavish court and began the Royal Collection. In contrast to later royal collectors, Henry was more interested in storytelling than art for its own sake, and all his commissions relate to one central tale: the glorification of the king and his realm. Henry's life can be seen through his collection and the works reveal much about both his kingship and his insecurities. King and Collector tells this unique story of art and power, peeling back the layers of propaganda to show the true face of the Tudor monarch.
Autorentext
Linda Collins holds a BA in early Italian art and an MA in the works of Georges de la Tour. She was employed by Historic Royal Palaces for 23 years while continuing a career as an accredited lecturer for the Arts Society.
Klappentext
No English king is as well-known to us as Henry VIII: famous for six marriages; for dissolving the monasteries; and for the ruthless destruction of those who stood in his way. But Henry was also an ardent patron of the arts whose tapestries and paintings, purchased in pursuit of glory and magnificence, adorned his lavish court and began the Royal Collection. In contrast to later royal collectors, this king was more interested in storytelling than art for its own sake, and all his commissions relate to one central tale: the glorification of Henry and his realm. His life can be seen through his art collection and the works tell us much about both his kingship and his insecurities. King and Collector tells a unique story of art, power and propaganda in Tudor England.