The Scientists, after The Ambassadors by Hans Holbein the Younger.
Hans Holbein the Younger’s, The Ambassadors which was painted in 1533 and is housed at the National Gallery in London is full of symbolism and it has been long debated what various elements of the painting represent. Some believe it represents religious discord between secular scholars and clergy, others think Holbein was making a statement about capitalism and the Church.
My painting is a homage to his iconic artwork. I have long admired the work of Holbein, I recently visited New York City and saw his painting of Sir Thomas More at the Frick Collection and was enthralled by the artist’s attention to detail.
The Scientists, after The Ambassadors by Hans Holbein the Younger is my response to the use of animal testing in our everyday lives.
My fascination with the source painting has been the anamorphic skull which the painting is most known for. It requires the viewer to approach the painting at a certain angle to view it properly. The skull represents mortality. I initially thought about replacing Holbein’s human skull with an animal skull in my painting as it is the animals that give their lives for us, but I thought it more poignant to stay with the human skull as if to say that even though the animals are sacrificing themselves, we will die anyway.
2 responses to “The Scientists, after The Ambassadors by Hans Holbein the Younger.”
christoslinou
SORRY IF THIS IS A DOUBLE POST TO YOU BUT I’M NOT SURE IF MY COMMENT GOT THROUGH
Hi Jason, I really like your take on the Holbein’s Ambassadors painting, in that the future of humanism is still caught in a progress trap of scientific advancements, consumerism, religious ideologies and corrupt political systems, which is now advancing towards the age of Artificial Intelligence. I like the way you have replaced the scientific objects in the original painting for the everyday common objects of today that suggest humanism is still caught in a progress trap of obedience to a future of experimentation, possible out of our control, and indeed Holbein had the same message of void in the metaphysical and morality and death only within the blurred skull. I’m currently working on a choreographic work which uses film and I superimpose images from Holbein’s painting onto the stage. I was wondering if I could use your painting into the film and project this also onto the live performance. I can send you a still from the work I’m developing and If you have time, you can see my work on my website. Best wishes, Christos.
I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to respond to you and I am sure my approval for use would be moot at this stage as I’m sure that you have probably completed your project. I am not in the habit of checking this overly often, as you can see.
Thank you for your kind words and fantastic description.
Jason T. Austin. 
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