What was Hans Holbein the Younger communicating about his world when he painted Henry VIII?
Henry VIII’s pose, with his right arm bent so that his elbow is thrust forward, conveys confidence and conviction; the positioning of his body forms a rectangle that nearly fills the bottom 3/4 of the picture plane. Also, the variety and textures of the materials in his clothes are intended to convey Henry’s extraordinary wealth. Holbein has captured a facial expression in which Henry VII appears wise and intelligent.
