Question

This is a portrait of Henry VIII. Which of the following is not a true statement about this portrait? a. The image of Henry VIII takes up most of the canvas in order to visually convey his power and presence to the people. b. This portrait was commissioned by Henry VIII to distribute throughout the kingdom. c. The artist intentionally painted all of Henry VIII features accurately so that the general public would know his superiority and power were real, and not self-made. d. His clothing is thick, embellished, and expensive, which helped to convey a message of his wealth and superiority over the general public. Please select the best answer from the choices provided A B C D

Answer 1

C. The artist intentionally painted all of Henry VIII features accurately so that the general public would know his superiority and power were real, and not self-made.

Step-by-step explanation:

Most of the portraits of Henry VIII do not depict the king in a too flattering light, as is often done with rulers and monarchs, but rather portray him accurately.

In the examples, in the attachment, we can see Henry VIII was often portraited as a big man with thick cheeks, double chin, saucer eyes and features too small for his face. He is not painted as a muscular, beautiful man, with the body like the Greek statue, as political portraits, statues, and paintings usually would present monarchs.

Hans Holbein has done quite a few depictions of Henry VIII. He has managed to show the king in all his likeness but to still transform his unflattering accurate appearance into the royal state of power. The portraits are not aesthetically pleasing, but still, manage to be arresting.

This is the proof that portraits of Henry VIII that showed him in a full accuracy had the power to prove that his superiority and dominance do not come from his divine appearance or political tools of beautifying, but were authentic.