Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art – serie

A definitive biography of the artist who, more than any other, has shaped our image of the Tudor court This landmark scholarly biography of Hans Holbein the Younger (c. 1497–1543), court painter to Henry VIII, breathes new life into Holbein’s story. From his early days in Augsburg and Basel to his lasting impact on British art and culture, this definitive account breathes new life into Holbein’s story, shedding light on the artist whose paintings would shape perceptions of the Tudor court for five hundred years. Written in accessible, engaging prose, the book explores Holbein’s famous portraits of Tudor figures—Henry VIII, his queens, would-be wives, and leading courtiers such as Thomas More and Thomas Cromwell—and examines iconic works, including The Ambassadors. Beyond biography, it situates Holbein’s art within the broader context of Tudor Britain, tracing the birth of collecting, connoisseurship, and art history itself. Beautifully illustrated, with rarely seen paintings from private collections, this volume weaves the latest research—including new archival discoveries and scientific analysis—into a fresh examination of Holbein’s life and work. Distributed for the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art

A comprehensive and authoritative history that explores the significance of one of the most famous buildings and institutions in EnglandWestminster Abbey was one of the most powerful churches in Catholic Christendom before transforming into a Protestant icon of British national and imperial identity. Celebrating the 750th anniversary of the consecration of the current Abbey church building, this book features engaging essays by a group of distinguished scholars that focus on different, yet often overlapping, aspects of the Abbey’s history: its architecture and monuments; its Catholic monks and Protestant clergy; its place in religious and political revolutions; its relationship to the monarchy and royal court; its estates and educational endeavours; its congregations; and its tourists. Clearly written and wide-ranging in scope, this generously illustrated volume is a fascinating exploration of Westminster Abbey’s thousand-year history and its meaning, significance, and impact within society both in Britain and beyond.​Distributed for the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art