Holbein’s The Ambassadors is one of the most famous paintings in the National Gallery.
It is also one of the most intriguing. Laden with hidden symbols and mysteries, the work has been the subject of intense debate among historians during the five centuries since it was created.
Tracy Borman’s book unpicks the secrets of this enigmatic artwork, painted during a turbulent time in English history as Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in order to marry the young Anne Boleyn.
From Holbein’s experiences as a German-Swiss émigré who rose to a position as the King’s Painter, to the two French ambassadors’ troubles at court, this book illuminates the fascinating story behind a masterpiece of the Tudor era.
Holbein: The Ambassadors by Tracy Borman is published on 25 March, 2025.
You may like to read Tracey’s review of the BBC adaptation of The Mirror and the Light.
There are many more ideas for historical reading in our list of over 140 books published this year.
