throughmirrorA different way of seeing
The Ambassadors — A double portrait with a skull that emerges from an oblique view.
Look closely. Let the image settle.
Illusions in painting / 1533

The Ambassadors

A double portrait with a skull that emerges from an oblique view.

TRY THIS

Locate the pale diagonal shape across the foreground. View the screen from a very shallow angle, or follow the museum’s explanation to see the resolved skull.

FOLLOW THE SOURCES

History, evidence & image credit

THE IMAGE IN THIS ARCHIVE

Hans Holbein the Younger

Original file & attribution · Public domain

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Frequently asked questions

What is The Ambassadors?

A double portrait with a skull that emerges from an oblique view.

What should I look for in The Ambassadors?

Locate the pale diagonal shape across the foreground. View the screen from a very shallow angle, or follow the museum’s explanation to see the resolved skull.

What explains The Ambassadors?

The skull is an anamorphic image. Its distorted proportions compensate for the foreshortening of a sideways viewpoint. A frontal reproduction preserves the distortion; the painting’s real viewing position is important.

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The Ambassadors — A double portrait with a skull that emerges from an oblique view.

The Ambassadors