Ian Waller treats himself to an afternoon off at the latest exhibition at Bath’s best known art gallery
Shh, keep it to yourself but I’ve just treated myself to a wonderful, child-free afternoon off, visiting the new exhibition, The Tudors: Passion, Power and Politics at The Holburne Museum in Bath, with some quiet time and a lunch thrown in – and I loved it!
I’ve been to The Holburne so many times before, for days out with the children, lunch with my wife and even business coffees with work colleagues, and always enjoyed it. It’s a glorious venue, full of culture and welcome, with very decent meals and snacks in the sunlight filled Garden Cafe, outside seating for when the weather allows, and several halls over three floors full of art old and new, as well as activities for younger visitors to enjoy.
This time, however, with a rare afternoon free, I indulged in a spot of me time with a late lunch followed by a visit to the latest exhibition. The Tudors: Passion, Power & Politics runs until 8 May and features a stunning series of portraits of five Tudor monarchs – Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I – along with the central figures of the era including Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh, that, as the guide explains, ‘explores this torrid period of religious conflict and political intrigue, the legacies of which continue to reverberate through contemporary British life,’ that is the Tudors.
Now I’m no historian or art critic, but having absolutely loved the Canaletto exhibition at the Holburne last year, this one was certainly worth a follow-up. Even to a beginner like me, however, the images of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I are so familiar and it is so thrilling to see the original portraits, dating back to the early 16th century and on loan from the the National Portrait Gallery and National Museums Liverpool. The colours and freshness of the works are stunning, as is the skill of the artists, including Hans Holbein.
There is a genuine thrill to seeing such works close up, with the stories of each portrait succinctly told in accompanying panels. This is just a perfect way to put the portraits into an historical perspective, in terms of the times when the paintings were created, what the subjects wanted to portray and the demands put on the artists. As a result we learn about the hidden meanings in some of the portraits, the not so subtle exaggerations of some of the subject’s more aesthetic qualities with their portraits being used to woo potential suitors – who, it turns out, were not always too happy when they met the subject in person – and the historical setting around when and why the portraits were commissioned.
As you edge your way around the exhibition, the portraits illustrate the lineage of the families involved, their relationships, secrets, plans and deceits, and – it has to be said – a fair few executions along the way. As a result, the story brings in religion, empire, war and all the elements of history that somehow still makes it relevant. Plus, I couldn’t help repeatedly reciting to myself ‘divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived’ – thank you Horrible Histories!
I hugely enjoyed this exhibition both as a way to learn so much about a subject I know so little about, but also the way that it’s told in a particularly unstuffy and welcoming way. Whether you take your family alone or sneak out for an solo visit, it’s so worth a trip.
The Tudors: Passion, Power & Politics runs at The Holburne Museum in Bath until 8 May. Find out more here