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'''''The Ambassadors''''' ([[1533]]) is Although a painting by [[Hans Holbein the YoungerGerman]] in the -[[National Gallery, Londonborn]]. The sitters, both [[France|Frenchmenartist]]whose career was based mainly in England, were [[Jean de DintevilleHolbein]] (on displayed the left), who was ambassador to influence of contemporary Dutch painters in this [[Englandwork]] . This influence can be noted most outwardly in 1533the use of oil paint, and a [[Georges de Selverecent]], invention whose [[Bishoptechnique]] was first taken advantage of by Flemish masters. What is most "Flemish" of Holbein's use of oils is his use of the medium to render meticulous details that are mainly [[Lavaursymbolic]], who visited him in : as Van Eyck and the [[LondonMaster]] in April or May of that year. As well as being a double Flemalle used extensive imagery to link their [[portraitsubjects]]to divinity, the painting contains a Holbein used [[symbols]] to link his [[still lifefigures]] of several meticulously rendered objects, the meaning of which is to the cause age of much debateexploration.

Although a Among the clues to the figures' explorative [[Germany|Germanassociations]]-born artist whose career was based mainly in are two globes, a sextant, an astrolabe, and the various textiles, the rug on the floor and cloth on the upper shelf being the most notably oriental. The [[Englandchoice]], Holbein displayed for the influence inclusion of the two figures can furthermore be seen as symbolic. The [[Early Netherlandish painting|contemporary Dutch paintersfigure]] on the left is in this work. This influence can be noted most outwardly in secular attire while the figure on the use of oil paint, a recent invention whose technique was first taken advantage of by [[Flemish mastersright]]. What is most "Flemish" of Holbein's use of dressed in protestant [[oil painting|oilsreligious]] is his use garb. They are flanking the table, which displays open books, symbols of the medium to render meticulous details that are mainly symbolic: as religious [[Jan Van Eyck|Van Eyckknowledge]] and even a symbolic link to the Virgin, is therefore believed to be symbolic of a unification of [[Master of Flemallecapitalism]] used extensive imagery to link their subjects to divinity, Holbein used symbols to link his figures to and the [[age of explorationChurch]].

Among the clues to the figures' explorative associations are two globes, a [[sextant]], an [[astrolabe]], and the various textiles, the rug on the floor and cloth on the upper shelf being the most notably oriental. The choice for the inclusion of the two figures can furthermore be seen as symbolic. The figure on the left is in secular attire while the figure on the right is dressed in protestant religious garb. They are flanking the table, which displays open books, symbols of religious knowledge and even a symbolic link to the [[Mary, the Mother of Jesus|Virgin]], is therefore believed to be symbolic of a unification of capitalism and the Church. The most notable and famous of Holbein's symbols in the work, however, is the skewed [[human skull|skull]] which is placed in the bottom center of the composition. The skull, rendered in [[anamorphic projection|anamorphic perspective]], [[another ]] invention of the Early [[Renaissance]], is meant to be nearly subliminal as the viewer must approach the painting nearly from the side of the painting to see the [[form ]] morph into a completely accurate rendering of a [[human ]] skull. While the skull is evidently intended as a ''[[vanitas]]'' or ''[[memento mori]]'', it is unclear why Holbein gave it such prominence in this painting. One possibility is that this painting represents [[three ]] levels: the heavens (as portrayed by the astrolabe and [[other ]] objects on the upper shelf), the [[living ]] [[world ]] (as evidenced by books and a musical [[instrument ]] on the lower shelf), and [[death ]] ([[signified ]] by the skull). It has also been hypothesized that the painting is meant to hang in a stairwell, so that a person [[walking ]] up the stairs from the painting's right would be startled by the [[appearance ]] of the skull.[http://www.worldwidewords.org/weirdwords/ww-ana2.htm] From [http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/artofanamorphosis/skull.html such an angle], the skull appears in its correct aspect ratio.