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In-class Project
Friday 6 February (answers due no later than Monday 9 February)
Directions: In small groups you will have approximately one hour
to analyze each of two engravings (of original paintings) representing
one of the major diplomatic events of Henry VIII's reign - his meeting
with Francis I at the Field of the Cloth of Gold. Discuss your answers
for the questions as a group, but draw your own conclusions (there is
not always one correct answer to a question)…and if you do not want
to hand them in today, be sure to take sufficient notes to enable you
to write up your "results" this weekend. Your answers can be
typed (12 pt. font) or hand-written, but they must be legible. Use as
many words as you need to answer the questions, there is no minimum or
maximum word count (when in doubt, clear and concise is always a good
way to go).
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"The Embarkation
of Henry at Dover"
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- Along with the fleet launching, what other activities are shown in
the engraving?
- How has Dover been presented? What is important about it? What is
missing? How does it compare to the presentation in "Le Champ de
Drap d'Or"?
- Do the ships appear to be more functional or ceremonial in nature?
- Can you see Henry VIII anywhere in the picture? How can you tell which
ship he is on? Why would the artist present this event in this way?
- What symbols of Henry VIII are used in the engraving?
- Why do you think the artist chose to use the St. George's Cross so
prominently?
- Note the flags (royal standard, etc.) and sails on the ships…what
is the weather like on the day in question? Do you see inconsistency
here? What else might the artist be trying to tell us?
- Look at the detail in the sea itself…what possible interpretations
might there be for this?
- Why are there no women shown in this piece?
- Why was this topic chosen as a companion piece for the Field of the
Cloth of Gold in 1781?
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"Le Champ de
Drap d'Or"
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- The purpose of the painting is ostensibly to present the events of
the meeting between Henry VIII & Francis I in the main tent shown
in the top center of the illustration, in what ways does the artist
indicate that this is the most important aspect of the day? In what
ways is it not the most important aspect? What seems to be instead?
- What do you note about objects/items and places represented on the
horizon?
- How are weapons depicted in the painting?
- What symbols of Henry VIII are presented in the picture?
- How is Henry VIII pictured? How about his entourage?
- Consider the use of color in the engraving…how do certain colors
indicate status? Loyalty? Nationality?
- Describe the fountains…what is their purpose?
- What does the role of women seem to be on this occasion?
- Why was this topic chosen for an engraving…as ordered by Parliament
in 1774?
- Note the size and location of the original painting…what does
this tell us about the continuing importance of the event? Of this representation
of the event?
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