I had the great honour of adding some sound to Holbein’s Ambassadors in the National Gallery last week.
This lecture and performance was going to be about Valentin de Boulogne’s Four Ages of Man, which was relegated in a last minute rehang, so back to Holbein we went!
Included in the talk was a discussion surrounding the symbolism and significance of the lute, both generally and in the picture, alongside a performance of the Lutheran Hymn painted into the work.
I was joined by Scottish Soprano Faith Waddell and London based Recorder Player Nicole Vaus. The outstanding six course lute was lent to me by London luthiers Stephen Barber and Sandi Harris. A short video excerpt, featuring lyrics supposedly penned by Francois I, can be found below…
Painted Eloquence 