The Tudors – Musee duLuxembourg, Paris, 18th March – 19th July, 2015
If you are intending to go to Paris this is an exhibition
that is well worth a visit and is also located in one of the prettiest gardens
in the city, in the sixth district; next to the Senat. The exhibition looks
back at the history of this very important era in English history and the
legends associated with many of its rulers, be they kings or queens. The art
and craftsmanship will take your breath away.
The
Tudors reigned over England throughout the 16th century and became
some of the most important and famous rulers in English history. The founder of
the dynasty was Henry VII and his rule put an end to thirty years of civil war.
More importantly his marriage to Elizabeth of Lancaster united the two fighting
houses – the Yorks and the Lancasters – establishing peace throughout the
realm. At the beginning of the exhibition there is a square panel, created
between 1550-1600, symbolising this union with the association of red and white
roses and a well-known portrait of an aged but wise King Henry VII painted by a
Welsh art guild. Of course Henry VII was also famous for being the father of
one of the most flamboyant kings in English history; namely Henry VIII. The
exhibition includes many striking portraits of this lion king, including an
early portrait painted by the illustrious Joos Van Cleve. There is even a full
armour, dating back to 1520, which he would have worn for the many tournaments
he attended in the early part of his reign. Staring at it one really gets the
sense of the strength and size – both physical and symbolical – of this
flamboyant ruler. There is a wealth of information made available not only from
paintings and art work but coins and books as well – many beautiful sixteenth
century original books and manuscript are on display, in amazing condition.
History comes alive as we, for example, read about a treaty made in Westminster
between Henry and the French king, Francis 1st, for the restitution
of Boulogne. Details of Henry’s personal life and his many wives feature
prominently – in fact one of the first paintings we see in the room was painted
in 1835 and depicts one of Henry’s more unfortunate wives, Anne Boleyn,
depicted in opulent misery in the Tower. Not surprisingly we learn that this
painting is one of the most famous and influential paintings of its time and
inspired a generation of artists. The private and public lives of the Tudors
become enmeshed in history, and we see how many events in these ruler’s lives
had huge effects throughout the kingdom – Henry VIII breaking away from the
Catholic Church so as to marry Anne Boleyn being one of the most significant.
Splendid
portraits of Edward VI and Mary 1st are on display and of course the
iconic and brilliant queen, Elizabeth 1st is explored in great
detail. A whole room is set up for this infamous daughter of Henry VIII and
Anne Boleyn, who came to the throne in 1558 at the age of 25. During the long
years of her reign the kingdom was not only restored to the church of England but
it became a great maritime power and important literary centre. The paintings
of this period in British history that are on view are amazing such as ‘The
Armada portrait’ depicting a regal, passionate and stunning queen. One gets a
real sense of history and of the glory of the Elizabethan era.
Go and visit ‘The Tudors’ – it is a show you
must not miss!
By Larissa Woolf, Arts Editor, VisitMuseums.com
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