Study of a Historical Scene showing Henry VIII and His Courtiers

Philip Hermogenes Calderon 1833 - 1898

Summary

The scene is set outdoors, of figures on a lawn. Henry VIII is dressed in regal tudor costume, and is stood in the centre foreround facing to the right, gesturing towards a male figure dressed in a brown jacket whose head is bowed. A female figure (one of his wives?) is stood to the right of the central figure, clutching the sleeve of his jacket and looking up at him. A crowd of courtiers and spectators (whose faces are painted unclearly) stand behind him to the left. Dense trees and buildings fill the background in the top half of the painting.