The Story of Tudor Art
A History of Tudor England Through its Art and Objects
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Publishing:25th Sep '25
£40.00
This title is due to be published on 25th September, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
A chronological exploration of the volatile and traumatic years of England’s Tudor dynasty (1485–1603), using the art of the era – both images and objects – as a means of investigating every facet of a period of English history that continues to exert a remarkable allure.
A unique, illustrated history of Tudor England told through its art and artefacts.
The volatile years of England’s Tudor dynasty (1485–1603) and the five monarchs who ruled England during this period continue to fascinate and intrigue. Thanks to the paintings of artists like Hans Holbein, we have very definitive ideas about the appearance and personalities of Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and her successor Elizabeth I. It is through their eyes of artists that we still see the dynasty which ruled England for just over a century. Yet, iconic though they are, when it comes to Tudor art, portraits – and monarchs – are far from the whole story.
Throughout the sixteenth century, images and objects were employed for political, religious, social and scientific ends, by a greater range of people than ever before. The Church and the royal court, archbishops, monarchs, and courtiers, were some of the most important patrons, commissioning artists in painting, tapestry, print and other materials, to convey particular messages and promote them as individuals and office-holders. But in this period too, the ‘middling sort’, professional men and women, increased in power, wealth and influence. They also wanted to promote themselves, and used not only art, but also a plethora of other objects to do so.
In this novel and unique exploration of England’s Tudor dynasty, Christina Faraday uses the art of the era – both images and objects - as a means of investigating every facet of the period. As well as deconstructing sometimes familiar portraits of Tudor kings, queens and noblemen, Faraday will bring a forensic eye to bear on a broad and heterogeneous array of artefacts – charters, clocks, cushions, coins, devotional artworks, furniture, jewels, manuscripts, miniatures, sculptures, scrolls and tapestries – thereby providing the reader with a vivid and detailed feel for the political, social, economic and cultural texture of sixteenth-century England.
This is a treasury of art, objects, jewellery and clothes that tells the history of Tudors through the things that they loved, commissioned, lost, destroyed and sometimes cherished. The richness of the book is not just in the wealth of illustrations - but in the reading of them - whether it is the 'come hither' smile of Henry VII or the newly discovered reverse of a hidden panel. Whether you love art or the Tudors or both - this book is for you -- Philippa Gregory
A vivid panorama of Tudor art in all its genres and media, fine, decorative and multifarious. Scintillatingly fresh, rooted in deep knowledge and understanding. A surprise awaits around every corner - I can’t praise it enough -- John Guy, University of Cambridge
An engaging and authoritative exploration of the art of the Tudor era, looking at not just paintings and sculpture, but throwing a wider net over the artistic legacy of this profuse age. Faraday rightly insists on the importance of textiles – including tapestries, embroideries and costume – now only faintly evoked by contemporary descriptions of Court spectacles, and in the few precious examples that survive -- Tim Knox, Director of the Royal Collection
Faraday's writing has the playfulness of fiction and the heft of scholarship -- Amy Jeffs, author of STORYLAND
Paintings and jewels, tapestries and clothes, Christina Faraday's The Story of Tudor Art has them all in abundance. Painstakingly researched and compellingly written, Faraday offers her readers a tantalising glimpse of the splendour that dominated the royal Tudor court, painting a vivid picture of sparkling magnificence. A dazzling achievement -- Dr Nicola Tallis
A tremendous book, full of wonder and exquisite detail. It is lively, revelatory and, like its subject, beautifully wrought -- Jessie Childs
Christina Faraday brings her astute and searching mind to visual art in the Tudor century, giving us asparkling, expansive and much-needed account and, astonishingly, the first! No one with even a passing interest in the Tudors should be without it -- Suzannah Lipscomb
From royal portraits to domestic embroidery, this superb and deeply researched book tells the story of art from our most captivating period of history as never before -- Bendor Grosvenor
This book is as original as it is readable -- James Stourton
ISBN: 9781804547397
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
448 pages