Henrik VIII and Anna Boleyn 1848 - 1870

Joel Ballin made this print of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in the 19th century. Although undated, it likely reflects the 19th-century revival of interest in Tudor history. Ballin wasn't English, but Danish. It suggests the pan-European fascination with the figures of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. It presents the king and his soon-to-be wife, surrounded by courtiers and symbols of wealth. The image creates meaning through familiar visual codes, such as the costumes of the figures, that evoke the Tudor court. The artist uses the setting to present them in a world of luxury and courtly love. But there is also a political dimension, reflecting on the historical and cultural contexts that shaped their controversial relationship. The print hints at the complex politics of imagery. Historians can use archives, libraries, and other collections to examine 19th-century attitudes to British history. Art is always contingent on the social and institutional context in which it's made.