1
of
1
Holbein: The Ambassadors (One Painting, One Story)
Series: One Painting, One Story
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 21 ratings, 3 reviews)
Brief Description
Holbein's Ambassadors is one of the most famous paintings in the National Gallery. It is also one of the most intriguing. Laden with hidden symbols and mysteries, the work has been the subject of intense debate among historians during the five centuries since it was created....
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3099
Unit price
/
Unavailable
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER
Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 3-4 weeks
Found a better price? Request a price match
Holbein: The Ambassadors (One Painting, One Story)
$3099
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Latest News
New Hero Alert! Meet Theresa – our new Warehouse Sidekick
We’re thrilled to welcome Theresa to the Book Hero team! Whenever we bring a new...
Our Rolife Range Is Getting Even Bigger!
Our Rolife range is getting even bigger! We’ve got a huge new shipment on the...
How to Make 1000 Piece Puzzles Easier
1000 piece puzzles can seem a little intimidating, but a few simple tricks can make...
Pick up a Microhistory (and become a very niche expert)
If you've seen people talking about a book about Salt and wondered what was happening...
Lizzy's August Reading
Book Hero team member Lizzy is rounding up her reads for August! Check out what...
See moreIntroducing a masterpiece from the National Gallery’s collection, this compact and beautifully illustrated book explores the story behind Holbein’s Ambassadors.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
Holbein's Ambassadors is one of the most famous paintings in the National Gallery. It is also one of the most intriguing. Laden with hidden symbols and mysteries, the work has been the subject of intense debate among historians during the five centuries since it was created.
Here, Tracy Borman unpicks the secrets of this enigmatic artwork, painted during a turbulent time in English history as Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in order to marry the young Anne Boleyn. From Holbein's experiences as a German-Swiss émigré who rose to a position as the 'King's Painter', to the two French ambassadors' troubles at court, this book illuminates the fascinating story behind a masterpiece of the Tudor era.
Series: One Painting, One Story
View all-
Seurat: Bathers at Asnieres (One Painting, One Story)
Although beloved today, Georges Seurat's Bathers at Asnières was rejected from the Salon exhibition to which it was first submitted. The work, painted when the artist was only 24 years old, was intended to make a statement. Meticulously planned, its detailed composition starkly contrasts with the spontaneity sought by Seurat's Impressionist peers. The scene is suffused with bright, hazy sunlight...Paperback$3099Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 3-4 weeks -
Vigee Le Brun: Self Portrait in a Straw Hat (One Painting, One Story)
Self Portrait in a Straw Hat by Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun is one of the National Gallery's most captivating paintings. Looking at us directly and holding the tools of her profession, the painter presents herself as an elegant society lady as well as an accomplished professional artist. The pose was modelled on Rubens's Portrait of Susanna Lunden (?), with...Paperback$3099Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 3-4 weeks -
Van Gogh: Sunflowers (One Painting, One Story)
'The sunflower is mine', Van Gogh once declared. No other artist has been so closely associated with a specific flower, and his sunflower pictures are among his most loved works. In this compact and richly illustrated book, Martin Gayford explores the history of the National Gallery's Sunflowers, painted in Arles in 1888 shortly before Paul Gauguin came to stay with...Paperback$3099Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 3-4 weeks -
Holbein: The Ambassadors (One Painting, One Story)
Holbein's Ambassadors is one of the most famous paintings in the National Gallery. It is also one of the most intriguing. Laden with hidden symbols and mysteries, the work has been the subject of intense debate among historians during the five centuries since it was created. Here, Tracy Borman unpicks the secrets of this enigmatic artwork, painted during a turbulent...Paperback$3099Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 3-4 weeks -
Monet: The Water-Lily Pond (One Painting, One Story)
In 1893, Claude Monet, a keen gardener, bought a plot of land next to his house in Giverny, where he wanted to create a water garden 'both for the pleasure of the eye and for the purpose of having subjects to paint'. He filled the pond with water lilies and built a bridge at one end, inspired by examples he...Paperback$3099Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 3-4 weeks
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781857097313
Publisher: National Gallery Company Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 11 March 2025
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: National Gallery Company Ltd
Illustration: 30 color Illust
Audience: General / adult, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Width: 159.0mm
Height: 210.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 64
About the Author
Tracy Borman OBE is joint Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces and Chief Executive of the Heritage Education Trust. She is a regular broadcaster and the author of a number of highly acclaimed books, both fiction and non-fiction.
Also by Tracy Borman
View all-
20% offCrown & Sceptre
Crown & Sceptre by Tracy Borman is an extraordinary exploration of the British monarchy, tracing its history and evolution from the Norman Conquest in 1066 to the present day. This meticulously researched book delves into the lives and reigns of the numerous kings and queens who have shaped the monarchy over the centuries. By examining key events and pivotal moments,...Paperback$2400Usually:$2999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
30% offHenry VIII and the Men Who Made Him
'An outstanding work of historical artistry, a brilliantly woven and pacy story of the men who surrounded, influenced and sometimes plagued Henry VIII.' Alison Weir Henry VIII is well known for his tumultuous relationships with women, and he is often defined by his many marriages. But what do we see if we take a different look? When we see Henry...Paperback$2100Usually:$2999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The House of Boleyn
Hever Castle holds all the Boleyn secrets... Hever Castle was the home of the Boleyn family and this brilliant and breathtakingly dramatic novel charts the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn through her wider family, entourage, and servants. The Boleyns are one of the most controversial and captivating families in British history. Anne Boleyn's turbulent relationship with Henry VIII, who...PaperbackSold Out -
Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I
'(A)sensational book by one of our greatest and best-loved historians... Astoundingly good.' - Alison Weir 'Masterful, captivating, page-turning, this is solid gold history at its best.' - Nicola Tallis '(A) thought-provoking, impeccably researched, and moving account uncovering how Anne's family, intellect, and tragedy shaped Elizabeth I's extraordinary career.' - Gareth Russell 'Her extensive research... reveals them as the most dazzling...PaperbackSold Out -
The Private Lives of the Tudors
Step into the world behind the throne with The Private Lives of the Tudors by acclaimed historian Tracy Borman. This captivating exploration delves deeply into the personal and often hidden lives of one of history’s most iconic royal families. From the regal splendour to the darkest secrets, Borman brings to light the intricate details of the Tudor monarchs' daily routines,...PaperbackSold Out -
Thomas Cromwell
Thomas Cromwell's life has made gripping reading for millions through Hilary Mantel's bestselling novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. But who was the real Cromwell? In this major new biography, leading historian Tracy Borman examines the life, loves, and legacy of the man who changed the shape of England forever. Born a lowly tavern keeper's son, Cromwell rose...PaperbackSold Out -
The Devil's Slave
'So vividly evoked that you are there, living the story' Alison Weir * Frances Gorges was accused of witchcraft - and she survived. But if her torturers at the court of King James discover she is pregnant with the child of Tom Wintour, her lover executed for his part in the Gunpowder Plot, it will mean certain death. Then Frances...PaperbackSold Out -
The King's Witch
Already a great historian, Tracy Borman proves with this thrilling debut novel that she is also a born storyteller. As she helps to nurse the dying Queen Elizabeth, Frances Gorges longs for the fields and ancient woods of her parents' Hampshire estate, where she has learned to use the flowers and herbs to become a much-loved healer. Frances is happy...PaperbackSold Out -
The Stolen Crown
'A powerful tale . . . compelling and brilliant' - ALISON WEIR In March 1603, Queen Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch, lies dying at Richmond Palace. The queen's ministers cluster round her bedside, urging her to name her successor - something she has stubbornly resisted throughout her reign. Almost with her last breath she whispers that James VI of...PaperbackSold Out
More from Arts & Culture
View all-
Dylan's PickBold Types
A tribute to 32 truly independent bookshops throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, from north of Auckland down to Dunedin, and coast to coast. Jane Ussher's photographs show every bookstore in its unique nature - including behind the counter, smoko rooms, the mess which tells the hardworking story behind the joy of matching books with customers. Jemma Moreira's careful editing has crafted...Hardback$5999Elsewhere:$7000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseHome Again
Join rock-legend, former Shihad frontman and lead singer of The Adults, Jon Toogood in this unflinching and no-holds-barred memoir Home Again.This is more than a rock story. Toogood looks back on a 37-year career that helped define New Zealand rock music, and the personal cost that came with it. From a music-obsessed childhood in Wellington to the deafening roar of international stages, this...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseDisney Moana: The Official Cookbook
Embark on a culinary adventure with Moana of Motunui with Pacific recipes inspired by Moana and Moana 2! After a long day of sailing to see how far you’ll go or keeping the demigod Maui out of trouble with Te Fiti, catch a break with the delicious dishes in Moana: The Official Cookbook! Featuring more than 50 recipes spanning the...Hardback$4499Elsewhere:$5299Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Did I Ever Tell You This?
In this unexpected memoir, written in a creative burst of just a few months in 2022, Sam Neill tells the story of how he became one of the world’s most celebrated actors, who has worked with everyone from Meryl Streep to Isabel Adjani, from Jeff Goldblum to Sean Connery, from Steven Spielberg to Jane Campion. By his own account, his...Paperback$3799Elsewhere:$4500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
This Angry Pen of Mine
This Angry Pen of Mine by Layne Staley invites you to dive into the untold creative world of Layne Staley, the legendary voice behind Alice in Chains. This extraordinary collection showcases his handwritten lyrics, deeply personal poetry, stunning original artwork, rare photos, fan tributes, and so much more. Step into the world of Layne Staley like never before. For the...Hardback$7299Elsewhere:$8999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
They Bloom Because of You
Bestselling author and Instagram sensation Jessica Urlichs returns with a new collection of beautifully observed poems about the ever-evolving journey of motherhood - the hard, the magic and the fleeting. ‘A raw and honest read that makes you feel seen and understood in a way that will bring you to tears.’ - Hilary Swank ‘A book to keep close and...Paperback$3000Elsewhere:$3600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Odyssey
Composed at the rosy-fingered dawn of world literature almost three millennia ago, The Odyssey is a poem about violence and the aftermath of war; about wealth, poverty and power; about marriage and family; about travellers, hospitality, and the yearning for home. This fresh, authoritative translation captures the beauty of this ancient poem as well as the drama of its narrative....Paperback$2999Elsewhere:$3599Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 3-4 weeks -
14% offLeaves of Grass
A collectible new Penguin Classics series offers beautiful, slim, clothbound editions of ten favourite poets. In 1855, Walt Whitman published his first collection of poetry, Leaves of Grass. The volume received great praise from leading Transcendentalist poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. This encouragement led to what would become a lifelong project, as Whitman expanded and rewrote the volume until his death...Hardback$1900Elsewhere:$2400Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
37% offGreat Writers and the Cats who Owned Them
Throughout history, cats and writers have bonded together in a magical combination of comfort, companionship and inspiration. The famous authors featured here range from Samuel Johnson, whose cat Hodge dined on oysters, and Edward Lear, whose charismatic cat Foss was missing half his tail, to Margaret Mitchell, L. M. Montgomery and Dorothy L. Sayers, who rescued her kitten Blitz from...Hardback$2500Usually:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Beautiful Chaos
The Instant Sunday Times Bestseller Selected poems from bestselling author and Instagram poet, Jessica Urlichs. 'These words awaken the magic of life by celebrating the ordinary.' - Giovanna Fletcher Motherhood is messy and beautiful, and hard and humbling. We adore our children and sometimes we miss ourselves. Beautiful Chaos is a collection of raw, honest poems about motherhood, capturing everything...Paperback$2900Elsewhere:$3500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Odyssey
The Odyssey by Homer is a monumental epic that has enthralled readers for centuries with its rich tapestry of adventure and human struggle. It chronicles the perilous journey of Odysseus, the cunning King of Ithaca, as he strives to return home after the fall of Troy. During this ten-year odyssey, Odysseus confronts myriad dangers, both natural and supernatural, that test...Paperback$2499Elsewhere:$2800Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Odyssey
The great epic of Western literature, translated by the acclaimed classicist Robert Fagles. A Penguin Classic Robert Fagles, winner of the PEN/Ralph Manheim Medal for Translation and a 1996 Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, presents us with Homer's best-loved and most accessible poem in a stunning modern-verse translation. "Sing to me of the...Paperback$3500Elsewhere:$3800Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
Arts & Culture lists from the team
Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listArts & Culture
Poetry of Aotearoa
Check out some of the amazing local talent we are spoilt with right here in Aotearoa.View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listArts & Culture
Poetry for Beginners - Where to Start
10 Books I'd recommend to someone new to reading poetry - a mix of old and new, all magical introductions to the...View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listArts & Culture
Lizzy's Favourite Books of Poetry
If I could only have 10 poetry collections to survive on for the rest of my life, these are them. Or maybe...View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listArts & Culture
Books to read for Women in Translation month!
August is Women in Translation month, but at any time of year it's worth checking out these incredible novels written by women...View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Shirl's listArts & Culture
Inside the World of Film
Step behind the scenes of the world of filmmaking! Discover iconic directors and movie history of some of the world's memorable films.View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Shirl's listArts & Culture
Books to Celebrate NZ Music Month
New Zealand Music Month happens every May, it's a reminder that we have so many talented musicians, singer, songwriters here in Aotearoa....View the list
