@@MagklJellyBeanPastelLucidDream The truth is Elizabeth could have done almost anything if she chose to, though there's always a price. The problem was that England was still very much embroiled in a religious conflict despite having quieted to some degree following Mary's death. If Elizabeth decided to honor her mother by giving her a proper burial, it may have incited a new round of political unrest. Combined with the undercurrent of religious tension she probably did not want to stir the honest's nest. She faced a near-constant threat to her reign as it was. Nice eye, BTW.
I was lucky enough to see the locket ring at an exhibition in Paris and it is tiny. The portraits are the size of my little fingernail. It is beautiful.
@@anneboleynfiles I would love to see the locket ring. It is so touching to see that Elizabeth had this ring made of her mother, who died when she was only three years old.
Elizabeth's household when she was growing up, and also when she became queen, consisted of many Boleyn relatives who would have told her about her mother. I don't believe that she thought Anne was guilty, I just think she thought it best not to draw attention to her illegitimate status and the fact that her mother was executed as a traitor, she had enough challenges to her throne as it was.
I absolutely love that Elizabeth carried the pictures of her mother. I think, for her entire life, Elizabeth felt her mother’s presence. These are all very beautiful images. I can imagine Anne’s eyes were the keys to her beauty❤️ Edit: the Holbein drawing reminds me so much of our Princess Anne, and of Princess Margaret.
I think that the Holbein image is the true image of Anne. It was sketched by a royal painter and it was done during her lifetime. She was pregnant three times at least before she was killed, so perhaps she was fuller in the sketch because she was pregnant when she was being drawn.
Agree as well. I love Holbein’s portraits, as I find them so detailed. Because of the detail, it seems to me these would be more accurate. As you said, she might have been very pregnant at the time.
agreed, not to mention that those undergarments for the neck piece seem to fasten just under the chin - which is bound to create some unflattering angles if so
My money's on Hans Holbein. That dude knew how to make a portrait. And in any case, maybe he made the sketch towards the end of her life when she had gained a little weight in the jaw. It's not so different from the other portraits, just more realistically done.
I agree. Unlike the National Portrait Gallery image, Holbein's drawings and portraits are not stiff and stylized; they reflect a desire to come as close to [what we think of as] a photographic likeness of the subject as was achievable at that time. Just contrast a Holbein portrait with any typical portrait from that period; Holbein's looks like a real person; the other does not.
I think that Holbein's sketch was made when Anne was pregnant and somewhat puffy. This would be accentuated by the fact that at least in some cases the coifs or headdresses were held in place by a tight cord, strap, or ribbon that passed from side to side under the chin. Examples can be clearly seen in the contemporary portraits of (a) Margaret Wyatt, Lady Lee, (b) Queen Katherine Howard, and (c) Anne Parr, Lady Herbert at www.tudorsdynasty.com/tudor-womens-hair-headpieces/
Marcel please people stop judging how people look back then, stop saying they’re ugly, you clearly don’t understand the beauty standard back then, I mean we don’t consider it beautiful today, also it’s a different than ours.
I am a Filipino born and raised in the 🇵🇭 Philippines, Living recently in Japan 🇯🇵, I started to watch documentaries about English histories and documentaries, I adore Queen Elizabeth I (the 1st)😌 according to history and as far as what the documentaries I have seen😊 What ever what Queen Ann Boleyn looks likes in real life🥰😍 it will never changed that the history of what the GREAT QUEEN ELIZABETH the FIRST (QUEEN ELIZABETH I ) is the first great Queen of them all🥰❤️ BEAUTIFUL IN MY EYES, AND EVERY EYES OF EVERYBODY WHO BELIEVES IN HER🥰 Thank you🙏
My theory is that Anne Boleyn's hair was very dark brown, just one shade lighter than black, and showed red highlights where the light hit it. I knew someone with hair like that.
History records that Anne had black hair, & dark eyes People nicknamed her " The night crow" i had an ancestor at the Tudor court, he was auditor to Jane Seymours brothers, was thanked by the fat usurper, for saving him, £1000 in wages! My ancestor did very well out of the dissolution of the monasteries, i am ashamed to be related to him, as a dyed in the wool Yorkist.
lil boosie read some book dumbass , she was falsely accused of adultery , incest and witchcraft so henry the fat can marry Jane Seymour at that time , and he separated from the catholic church just to marry anne so he can't divorce her like that so he finds way to beheaded her
I am also a descendant of Anne Boleyn through her Aunt Anne Boleyn Shelton who married Sir John Shelton,which make my ancestor the Great Aunt of Queen Elizabeth I
Fun fact: In the first Harry Potter movie, if you look closely in one of the scenes (I think it is the moving stair case scene), you can see a portrait of Anne Boleyn. I think this may have been a reference to her being accused of being a witch. At the very least, it holds a striking resemblance to the National Portrait Gallery portrait. On a more related note, I think it would be very cool if a portrait of Anne Boleyn appeared- one that was painted when she was alive. As far as I know, no contemporary portraits of her have been found. I could be wrong, so please feel free to correct me.
One reason not mentioned for the Holbein portrait being so casual, & "scrofulous" - i.e., *swollen* - is that she could *very well* have been pregnant; she certainly was when she was crowned!
Rosie Stevens Yes, that could account for the double chin too, water retention. Plus the relaxed state of undress. Mind you, Anne is said to have complained bitterly about the loss of her figure, style icon that she was...perhaps she was after setting a new fashion for pregnant ladies?
Fiona Beswick Yes that's a cool theory, who knows :-) There are lots of people who say the sketch is not Anne, and I think it is mainly people who are just a bit disappointed that this sketch doesn't have the same sexual allure and striking beauty of the Hever castle portrait, it sort of ruins their romanticized view of Anne. I am not saying Anne was unattractive by any means, I am just pointing out that focusing too much on one portrait can be unwise, as it might not depict her as accurately as another portrait does. I think that the best way to gain an idea of what someone like Anne looked like is to pick similar traits in each portrait/sketch of her, to gain a better idea of her actual appearance. Also, a lot of people complained that John Cheke (Edward VI's tutor) mislabelled many sketches, but personally I doubt he would mislabel someone as important as Anne, and he most likely knew what she looked like too. Oh and another reason why Anne's chin might look swollen on the sketch is because her bonnet has a string that ties around it? A lot of Tudor women's headdresses and bonnets have a string that fastens underneath their chins in portraits, and it often makes them look a bit swollen in that region. The Holbein miniature of Katherine Howard is a good example, you can see it looks rather tight. Might be the same for Anne in the sketch.
Rosie Stevens hey interesting about the string..I just tried it myself. and when your chin is tucked in, even if your neck is slim, it does make a bulge.
Fiona Beswick Yes exactly, and they were all about tightness back in those days so I assume that is a contributing factor to Anne's swollen looking chin.
It has been said she was not conventionally beautiful compared to most women at court. BUT was considered to have an exotic look that was considered sexy and different. She stood out. Her unique beauty was not the only thing she had going for her. She was well trained in the french court. ladies in waiting were not only trained to take care of their mistresses but they generally had a higher education and were trained in the art of conversation. People back then did not speak as plainly as people do now. Read any diary entry or letter from back then and you will see that the art of conversing was apart of every day life. And she was a very good communicator who used more than just her mouth. She was not only stylish but she was smart, funny and witty. The king could have had any pretty girl he wanted. But she was far more sexy than any "pretty" girl at court. She had the whole package and Henry wanted her. She also played hard to get at first by refusing to simply become his mistress making her even more desirable. Everyone wants what they can't have. Also, people need to understand that Anne did not get on the thrown all by herself. Families at court were willing to do anything to conspire in order to gain wealth and power for their families. When Henry ordered the execution of Anne Boelyn, they also executed members of her family. The accusations were simply a cover up for the real reasons she was executed. Which will probably never be set in stone. I guess there are some history mysteries that will never be solved and that's one reason why so many people are fascinated by her.
There is a great difference between being beautiful and being attractive as any clever woman knows. Beauty is transient but women like Anne Boleyn, Elinor of Aquitaine,Wallace Simpson had something far less superficial,the ability to fascinate.
she was plain and not good looking at all. her friends wrote that about her. Also as said before paintings of royalty were often done to make the subject appear better looking or more regal. This was a woman who did nothing of any worth. She ran after a married man and paid the price. Why is everyone acting as though she was someone special? I get that someone who runs a site on the second wife of Henry 8th is obsessed for some reason, but this was not a woman of any historical importance.
60toodles "This was not a woman of any historical importance". You are talking about the woman who lead the king to decide for the severance of the Church of England. And please, do not forget that she is the mother of the woman who became the most known, loved, remembered queen of England. The same queen which lead the nation to a prosperity never seen before. She is the mother of the queen of the Golden Age. I wouldn't say Anne Boleyn is of no importance. Do you want to know why some people described her as not good looking (and please keep in mind that she hadn't got a good reputation, so people tended to exaggerate)? She had dark hair, dark eyes and a small bosom, also her skin wasn't pale. Her lips were not thin and her mouth was not small. Do you want to know what you required to be considered beautiful? Light blonde hair, light eyes, pale skin, prosperous breasts, small mouth. A woman had to be modest. A woman had to serve and shut up. Anne wasn't modest. She spoke her mind. The king was attracted to that, she was attractive in a different way, she was intelligent a fierce. He loved it at first, then it became to much.
I remember reading somewhere that the drawing of Anne was (or possibly was) made when she was pregnant. To me it looks the same as the others, but with more weight on the face, which would be consistent with pregnancy.
I agree with you. I have read so much over the last decade about Anne and studied every single thing ever written about her and her appearance including readingthat this is her during pregnancy. The sketch was also ID’d by someone who knew Anne during Anne’s life - ID’d after her death but by a friend. I believe the Holbein sketch to be the most accurate and intimate.
I love the Hever castle portrait. She's so beautiful. I cannot wait till my sister and I can afford to go out on one of your stays at Hever. I want to go so that I can be in England and pay my respects to her on her execution day.
I agree with you Claire, when I think of Anne Boleyn I instantly think of the Hever image. All up, a great video, well researched with a pleasant smooth voice i could listen to for hours!
@@cherylanderegg1690 yeah we know, Cpt Obvious....when I saw the miniature, I also thought that it looked more like QE1 even though I know they looked like one another from accounts I've read. But when you see it, so vividly, it does take your breath away.
I think the best likeness we'll ever see (unless given permission to exhume her remains and do a facial reconstruction) is Elizabeth's portraits. She definitely appears to look more like her mother than her father.
+S Kandy The remains in the chancel were exhumed in the 19th century (1876-7) when conservation work was being done on the chapel. The floor in that area was sinking so they had to be dug up. What they found was not a jumble of bones, they found bones grouped together which suggests that the remains were indeed buried in coffins, or, in Anne's case, in an elm chest used for bow staves. The bones found in the spot recorded as being the spot where Anne was buried in 1536 were of a female and two men were buried to the right of her (as you look at the chancel), which fits where the Dukes of Somerset and Northumberland were recorded as being buried. These were important people so they were buried respectfully and in coffins. There are also remains in the crypt, which were found in what used to be the graveyard of the chapel.
Fascinating idea! I'd never seen the Hever portrait of Ann, and, being an artist who works in the Renaissance/Classical style, I've spent years studying portraiture. Even with the feature distortions which were fashionable in painting at the time, the Hever portrait certainly shows a stunningly beautiful woman, with Ann's described black hair and eyes. All the features add up...I think you're absolutely right. Brilliant! And, thank you for sharing this!
I love these videos that show what these past figures would most likely have looked like. You can't help but try to picture it in your mind when you read about them.
The sketch by Holbein and the miniature by Lucas represent her true appearance. The others are portraits painted by people after her death, who never saw her. She may have had a goiter later in her marriage or a double chin. I think her face was thinner before her pregnancies. It is thought that the Holbein sketch was painted while she was pregnant. She was not a beauty, but attractive when she was dressed in the best clothing and hoods. Her gifts were of wit, charm and intelligence. She also said what she thought and this charmed her husband at first, but irritated him when she failed to produce a son. The Hever Castle portrait is lovely but not an accurate representation of Anne Boleyn.
People nowadays take descriptions way to literally, or too extremely, when centuries ago they were just comparative, or even somewhat metaphorical. Even in Victorian times, someone might be called "black" simply because of dark hair and dark eyebrows, not because they were "black." When I was in the middle east, it was amazing how often people would be described as "blonde" who weren't blonde but brown haired. But to a Syrian a brown-haired person looked "blonde" because they were so used to much darker hair.
+Aiodhan O'Connellan Come on we both know that men don't really go at it like women go at it, I have seen women tear each other apart just for fun. Men hardly ever do that and I have 5 older brothers so I know this for a fact.
***** LOL are you serious? that is what you got? No I am not pulling your leg, but thanks for making me laugh and the only person who made themselves look like a moron is you. Have an awesome day.
+Starlee Midnight If you had ever stood outside a public house at closing time you would have your answer. A bloke with a few pints inside him will fight over anything and nothing, Men beat up gay's. they fight over women, football, any thing will do. You must have led a very sheltered life my friend.
bella donna LOL I wish sadly I grew up in the streets of LA, I am far from sheltered, I have seen a lot of messed up things girls do just for 'fun' but I have never seen guys act like that maybe once in a while but not just for the hell of it. but yet again I grew up in an all girls school so it might be different for me eh
I hope she was like the Hever Castle portrait as that is certainly the most attractive and dramatic: I could imagine a man waiting 7 years for a woman that exotic looking.
She HAD to be attractive. Not necessarily the most gorgeous or according to the standards. Let's remember she was supposed to bare him kids. A woman with certain 'abnormalities' for lack of a better word, wouldn't be a choice he'd take genetically wise. Plus we are talking about Henry, a notorious womanizer. Yes she had all those charms but she was probably physically attractive too
Anne Boleyn actually had dark auburn hair, not black hair. The description of her with black hair was written by one of her enemies during a time when black hair was very unbecoming for a woman. That same man also attributed Anne with having an extra finger (or nail) and several ugly moles on her neck, so he was clearly already biased about the lady'a appearance. This is why Elizabeth' hair was so red. Henry's hair was more or a strawberry-blond, not a true vibrant red like Elizabeth's.
Thank you! I enjoyed your video! I've always felt a bit sad for Ann Boleyn. She tried so hard. I'm a huge fan of history. My own family, was a large part of it.
I have been fascinated by The Tudors since I was a kid. From everything that I have read about Anne Boleyn, from the diaries of those people who met her, she had dark hair and by all accounts it was so long that she could sit on it. She had olive skin, her eyes were black (not brown) and were considered her most beautiful asset. It was said that she wasn't beautiful but I think that Anne must have had a very powerful charisma.......in other words, there was something about her that attracted men.........a powerful sexual aura perhaps. Henry was certainly besotted with Anne and this was a king who had bedded dozens of women.....in fact Henry could have his pick......and yet it was Anne that he adored. Like I said, she wasn't beautiful, but she had something.
lorraine smith well for the time she wasn’t considered beautiful. I think she may have been atleast attractive. Henry would’ve never gone for some plain woman.
Taps fan well that’s true. Jane and Anne were completely different and maybe looks wise, Henry wanted to go after the plain and meek Jane after all the drama he had with Anne who was known to be captivating.
@@idontgiveafaboutyou And how you come to conclusion she wasn't beautiful? Are you guys low intelligence? It's clearly stated that her best features were her dark eyes and look at you forcing your own views because of her eye color and complexion she wasnt attarctive. Much like today she was considered sexy and exotic in opposite to plains
Another lovely video! And I concur: the Hever portrait has always struck me as having an air of sincerity to it, as it portrays Anne in the same way so many other sources describe her appearance. As for the sketch...is it possible Anne was pregnant at the time? With both of my younger children, I got very puffy in the face and neck (and nearly everywhere else, for that matter, lol). I have high cheekbones myself, but you could hardly tell by the time my second trimester started!
Thanks for posting. The Tudors have long been a favorite subject to mine. I estimate that I have read at least 20 books about them and this video is another piece of the puzzle. I do agree with Ms. Ridgway about the portraits, for what it is worth.
I really liked this video! I am the very great granddaughter of Mary Boleyn. So interesting to see which image of my very great Aunt Anne Boleyn may have looked like. I have very dark hair, black eyes, long nose, and olive skin. But, my face is heart shaped! Thank you for sharing this!!!!
Then, Galina, you & I are cousins. Lady Mary Boleyn is my 15th GGM; Queen Anne Boleyn is my 15th Great Grand Aunt. It's very peculiar at times to see all these people, strangers, commenting on my ancestors. It's even stranger to hear experts speak of her in a proprietary way; so many books written on her, movies & tv series---theories about her and so forth. I grasp that she of course belongs to history too, but there are many times I sadly wish I didn't have to share her & Lady Mary, as bizarre as that may sound to a stranger. I have eight years of in-depth genealogical research & documentation plus two DNA tests that support my ancestry; learning these things about my heritage was life-altering. I am directly descended from Charlemagne, William The Conqueror and bear direct & lengthy genetic ties to the (ancient) monarchies of Scotland, France & Germany (and England). I doubted my own research for years; kept tearing down my tree and laboriously doing it over again months at a time, thinking I must've made errors. I always got the same exact results. I also consulted a professional genealogist who further confirmed my results. It still astonishes me and my family. I am deeply, profoundly honored by it. I didn't care much for Claire Foy's interpretation of my Great Grand Aunt in "Wolf Hall" series, but loved Natalie Dormer in the role. She helped me visualize my ancestor as a living person and not only a portrait or a chapter from any of the many books written about she & my GGM Lady Mary. I've encountered a couple self-annointed Boleyn "scholars" who've ridiculed my ancestry, dismissing it out of hand. I've even experienced one Brit "scholar" saying to me "It always seems to be Americans ( wink-wink-nudge-nudge) who claim relations to her", as if I am a liar and have no right to embrace the genetic tie to her/her family/my ancestors because I am American by birth. ( My DNA, I don't mind saying, is 76% British; the average British citizen is, according to Ancestry.com DNA , 60% British region) . At the end of the day it doesn't really matter; I'm not looking for anyone to validate my ancestry; I've already done that and I'm more than satisfied with it. I loved looking at the various portraits of her in the video above; it was quite informative and for me, poignant. For my own part, I prefer the Hever portrait as the truest to her looks. I wish Natalie Dormer had worn dark contacts too, would've made the vision complete. :) As a point of Art interest, I suspect the Holbein charcoal sketch is really of Jane Seymour, not Anne. If you look at his finished portrait of Jane and then the charcoal/pastel sketch, it becomes easier to connect the two works as related renderings of the same person. I say that as a professional artist. I feel a bit like I'm talking to myself in this post, LOL :) ....it's okay, like I said, I'm not looking for any validation, don't need it...just feel perhaps --melancholy... at times, for the life my GGA lived and the way she died. I think she died incredibly bravely, magnificent even, speaking well of her beloved Henry even though he sent her to the swordsman. Not too many people in history have had the strength or character to do such an extraordinary thing. I have a grandchild, interestingly enough, who was born with a tiny extra finger, as Anne was purported to have ; it's called polydactyly and it's hereditary if uncommon as an inherited trait. I loved seeing her portraits together in the video, so thank you Boleyn Files, for your dedicated & excellent work and for sharing it with all of us. Galina, you should get in touch with me, Cousin. :) Amazing to read all the comments here about my beloved ancestor. Thank you.
Dear Cousin Susi, I'm so pleased to meet you!! It took over 2 years to find out that my very great Grandmother was Mary Boleyn. I found her when I traced back my "Tilghman lineage". Ruth Blount Devonshire who married Christopher Tilghman are my great grandparents. Ruth's lineage takes me straight to Mary Boleyn. I'm from her daughter Catherine Carey. Are you also from Catherine or from Henry Carey? Ruth Devonshire came to America with her husband Christopher Tilghman in the 1600s. Ruth is the daughter of Sir Charles Blount. I am also the very great granddaughter of Jacquetta de Luxembourg (King Henry viii great grandmother). Most likely you are also directly related to Jacquetta. She was known as mother of Kings and Queens of England since 1509 and a few years later the one who produced many Scottish Kings. Jacquetta has a long, long history of royalty going into the Orsini family of Italy, French royalty, and Spanish royalty and so much more!! Do you have Facebook with Messenger? I really do not care if people do not believe us!! That is their issue! The family tree is humongous to say the least amid the royalty!! Some historians have some reason to think that Mary Boleyn's children are that of Henry viii. It is a bit odd to me that Mary's children (Catherine and Henry) were named the same as the reigning Catherine of Aragon and Henry! I would love to contact you!! While I'm still new at family genealogy, I consistently find that no matter what, the family records stay the same! I'm also the very great granddaughter of Anna Sanders Tilghman who goes back to William the Conqueror. From Anna Sanders Tilghman my lineage continues back to Princess Anna Yaroslavna of Ukraine who married Henry 1 of France. One thing I do find is that many, many of these people were all cousins and belong to the same large family tree! How can I contact you? Can I private message you? Keep looking at Jacquetta de Luxembourg. I'm sure you are related to her! Glad to meet you, cousin Susi!!! Galina
I will happily email back & forth with you about fam tree but I'm not entirely comfortable posting in a public forum my various family members who're closer generations than Lady Mary & Queen Anne ....email me & we'll talk lots about our family !! So happy to meet you ! :)
You typed the words right out of my fingers Nancy! I believe Anne was considered to be more fascinating than beautiful. It must be true; she still fascinates us today even though we aren't really sure exactly how she appeared.
You're wrong dark eyes were more attractive in those times continued till 15 century. You should Google the beauty standards of 15 century before you make up facts out of yourself. I to this day prefer them too. Light eyes are preferred now boring
Have you ever seen the portrait of Anne Boleyn they have in Florence at the Uffizi Gallery? The De Medici family were rather nosey and they sent their artists all over Europe to paint the portraits of leaders and notable figures of their times. They have Henry and Anne both. The portraits hang from the ceiling beams in the corridors of the Uffizi gallery and often go unnoticed. What I found particularly fascinating about them was that they were done in the Italian style, not the English style at the time, in addition they were commissioned by others so weren't designed to flatter particularly. It gives a different but recognizable perspective.
I went there a long time ago but can't remember seeing it back then, but I have seen the one of Anne online. As you say, it's a very different style. Thank you!
My history professor told me about those portraits, so I paid special attention to them when I was able to visit the gallery. They have Henry VIII and I believe Elizabeth I. I appreciated the altered perspective. As much as I admire the Hans Holbein the younger style of portraiture, it was so dominant at the time that it had a slightly homaginizing effect on the court portraits. (At least to my mind) That and the tendency to copy older works through the generations as well as the Royal ability to require a certain perspective from the artist. I have been disappointed that the Uffizi portraits get as little attention as they do. One has to know they are there when at the gallery to truly get the significance or even notice them. They never seem to be examined very closely as an interesting perspective on the time period from an academic perspective. At least not that I've encountered in English or French. Sadly my Italian is only good enough to ensure that I don't get egg on my pizza.
Yes, portraits in other country's collections do tend to get neglected. One of my favourite Anne Boleyn portraits is a French one - see es.pinterest.com/pin/167829523584354574/ or www.luminarium.org/encyclopedia/anneboleyn1533.jpg Ha! Yes, I can ask for a glass of red wine and a slice of four cheese pizza in Italian!
can't believe I stumbled onto this channel..I love and have studied English histories, fascinated w Anne..so much so, I took the name Boleyn as my middle when I was confirmed..to the person who coom enter on resurrecting Annes bones for a reconstruction,,THAT WOULD B A DREAM COME TRUE..I have wondered endlessly about her true looks and have stuck w the image of Natalie Dormer..not so much the physical appearance , but rather Annes spirit and tenacity ..as well as her ruthless pursuit of that crown..he was quite something..changed the course of British history
The miniature is only the size of your little finger nail so it is hard to see the detail and colours change over time, so it's hard to know what the original hair colour was. It would also depend on what it was actually painted with. Even if it is auburn or chestnut, it doesn't rule Anne out as her hair looks quite chestnut in the NPG portrait and the John Hoskins miniature. My hair is dark but in certain lights it can have reddish highlights and it goes reddish in the sun.
Hi Claire, I love your website. I've been reading it often as I binge watch the Tudors. I'm disappointed that Natalie Dormer didn't wear dark contacts for the role in the Tudors because Anne's flashing, intelligent dark eyes were a big part of her physical appeal. But then again, so was Henry's reddish blond hair that he got from his grandmother. Jonathan Rhys Meyer's dark hair and slender build look nothing like the corpulent blonde monarch. He was a pork bun for much of his life and JRM is cute but too buff and wiry to play the royal meatball. What do you think about Antonia Frasier's book on the 6 wives of Henry VIII? Did you read it? If not, it is worth checking out. I found it fun and interesting to read.
@Cissy2cute I think the bit that looks like hair on the Holbein drawing that Cheke apparently identified as Anne is actually the trim or underpart of her hood/cap.
I just started watching the tutors a few weeks ago. And King Henry the 8th is right now married to Anne Boleyn. I've been looking at the actress wondering if she actually looked anything like the queen. I'm so happy I ran across this. It is answered the questions that have been running through my mind.
I'm so fascinated by the Tudor period, and I've always wondered why there are so many variations in the portraits of the queens and mostly, Anne Boleyn's, because definitely some are more flattering than others. If she "turned Henry's head" as so many reports say, and I think that's true (history certainly supports this, as so much chaos was caused by their union), then I think she had to have been prettier than most of the portraits show. I wish we had something concrete to go by, though. :(
The portrait at 2:36 simply isn't a likeness. Anne never lived into her mid-forties, clearly the age of the sitter for this painting. The AB necklace could have been added later, maybe not much after Anne's death, in order to pass of the picture off as one of Anne Boleyn. That sort of thing happened *all the time* in those days. Or it could have been inherited by the sitter. Perhaps this picture is of a relative. At any rate, I don't believe the picture can be taken at all seriously as a likeness of Anne Boleyn. At 3:15 we see a Holbein. This artist was known for his incredibly faithful portraits and we can be sure that whoever the sitter was, this picture is a wonderful representation of her. However, while this piece comes from a portfolio of drawings of the luminaries of Henry VIII's time, we can't be entirely sure that the names written on them are the correct ones for all the sitters. This is because they were added a couple of centuries later by an unknown art dealer (I don't know where this narrator got her info. It's incorrect). In considering whether this is indeed Henry's second wife, one thing to note is the simple privy-chamber cap worn by the sitter. How unlike the fabulous hoods favored by royal and court women of the day! I personally find it difficult to believe Anne, given what we know of her pride and luxury, would have allowed the royal portraitist in to her private chambers to draw her before she had even completed her toilet. I think the narrator is absolutely right to be skeptical of this work. 4:22 is clearly someone other than Elizabeth's mother. Too many portraits show Anne as looking strikingly like her daughter to believe she could have as different a face as this. If we're going to believe the assertion that only royalty had miniatures made (which is poppycock, by the way - just google English miniatures from this period and you'll find dozens of non-royal miniatures), we could perhaps take it to be Catherine Howard, but it does not look much even like her; Mary Boleyn is a much better guess. I don't know why anybody would identify this person as Anne Boleyn. There's another portrait often erroneously identified Anne Boleyn, which can be seen here - speedy.theanneboleynfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/anne-holbein-mrxlg.jpg Again, we see a portrait that has nothing in common with the first four shown in this video and which looks nothing like Elizabeth. I suppose I agree with the narrator's conclusion, though it's possible that in the National Gallery portrait, the hair and eyes have faded over time, becoming more transparent, revealing the under-painting beneath, a phenomenon called "pentimento." This happened to many artist's pigments in those days, up to the late 18th century. Still, as much as it resembles Elizabeth, this painting is posthumous and we can't be sure whether it was copied from one done from life.
EyeLean5280 what a stupid thing to say..." Anne never lived into her mid-forties, clearly the age of the sitter for this painting. " you have no way of backing up that statement that the sitter is in her forties. Also, who says Anne had to sit for the Holbein portrait..an artist of skill who knew her could have easily done this portrait with out her present.
Greenish Frog Okay, so the sitter _could_ be in her early 40's, (but also as old as her early 50s, if quite well preserved for her time). But there are clear signs of aging beyond 35, Anne's age upon death. Certainly, the sitter looks visibly older than a confirmed portrait of Anne done only 2 1/2 years before her execution. Your hypothesis that Holbien could have done a portrait in the queen's absence is a better point. You are absolutely correct about that - Holbein both knew her and had a number of sketches he'd done of her he could work from. But on the other hand, he wasn't in the habit of making women look older than they were (for who would want such an image?), so without concrete evidence (as you yourself demand of me), I'm still inclined toward my own speculative interpretation, rather than yours. Finally, what on earth is the point of such incredibly poor manners? Why the need to call people you disagree with "stupid"? What is your problem? Can't you exchange ideas with others like an adult?
EyeLean5280 'Poor manners' is correct. I don't know why some people find it necessary to be so strident in their criticism of others. A simple 'I don't agree' would suffice. It is generally agreed among art historians and art restorers that the Holbein sketch is not of Anne Boleyn. As you have previously stated she would not have tolerated a sketch made of herself wearing a simple cap - apparently the lady was very fashion conscious. Fine sketch as it is, as is everything done by this fine draftsman it is not one of Anne Boleyn.
I have the same. For some time I coloured my hair in copper and at the moment I like a nice dark brown. Still in sunlight the red comes out and the brown looks much lighter. But if it's wet it looks almost black. I think it mainly depends on the light. :-)
exactly. They tried to blacken her image and after her death it was dangerous to talk about her, they could have seen it as a sign that you're associating yourself with her. IT was like she had never existed, they tried to wipe her out from history. Only when her daughter Elizabeth was on the throne, she had been officially "exonerated". Pity that contemporary portraits are lost. It still remains a big mystery on so many facts, but it keeps Claire going on her detective work on finding the truth
I would go for the portrait you showed after Holbein's drawing (the Lucas H....miniature). Why? Holbein was a contemporary and apparently an associate. He may not have shown the unflattering (but perhaps true likeness) drawing to her; and this miniature was done by a contemporary and most closely resembles Holbein's drawing.
Someone needs to paint a portrait of the national portrait gallery, and place it in the national portrait gallery, then people can go to the national portrait gallery to see the portrait of the national portrait gallery.
Hi, interesting analysis! I wonder if anyone has taken into account the beautiful Holbein portrait "thought to be Anne Boleyn"? (I'll attempt to post a link to it!) For me it has several features which fit well with the other portraits and written descriptions: the long face, graceful neck, very dark eyes and eyebrows suggesting black hair, and, at least to our modern eyes, attractive appearance which does not however fit in the with the contemporary idea of a "fair lady". There is a slight fullness about the chin which fits the other Holbein portrait and the coronation description (pregnancy can do horrible things to one!!) and she is wearing an English hood which is not usually associated with this Francophile, but which she is on record as having worn on at least one occasion (her execution alas). I think we also have to remember that so much of what makes a person attractive is in their movements, laughter, smile, and all of this is lacking in a portrait. As well as her undoubtedly attractive appearance she was almost certainly a very able, accomplished and sophisticated flirt, all fascination and no vulgarity. www.wikipaintings.org/en/hans-holbein-the-younger/portrait-of-a-lady-thought-to-be-anne-boleyn
The late 16th Century National Gallery Painting was almost certainly painted from an existing contemporary image that was in existence at that time that is no longer..and likely a close image of what she looked like.
I love your website, I didn't know you were here too! You are more learned on the subject than I am, but all of Holbein's work speaks to me of a man with a natural talent. I have an uncle as well as my Dad who can both capture a person's look in a few effortless strokes of the pencil. Maybe Queen Anne is a little chubby in HH's sketch due to a pregnancy. The face tends to become more full when we are expecting. I like your choice too.
The large neck/double chin could mean hypothyroidism - which would explain why she had trouble getting pregnant after Elizabeth, and the miscarriages she had.
I have just spent 3 days going through this ladies fascinating series of videos, I live a few miles from Nonsuch Palace in Surrey and would love to see it covered at some point.
I just found your channel. As an "armchair historian" ☺ I'm thrilled. One of my visual comparisons that I have found most interesting are Anne Boleyn's hands in portraiture compared to Elizabeth I's hands. I find it particularly interesting when using Queen Elizabeth I portrait of her at 13 by "unknown" as the comparison. Biographical information will speak of both mother and daughter having the same "black" eyes, but she had her father's red hair and fair complexion. I have read in biographies that Queen Elizabeth I thought her hands were one of her best features and always wanted them displayed in portraiture. Comparing portraits, it can be said that mother and daughter shared this delicate feature. I have wondered if it was a true life comparison or an affectation assigned by the portrait artist. I look forward to learning more from your videos and website.
I like how you go into detail of the appearance in all the different portraits. However, I saw on a comment where most of the Royal ones would have been destroyed. No doubt to Henry's feelings at that point in time. However, Didn't some accounts says she was not of the beautiful stature that we do know of her today. Didn't most of her beauty come from her intelligence and wit?
Thanks for a really useful discussion. I was surprised to learn about her "swarthy complexion" and "wide mouth" according to Francesco Sanuto. Like you, it's the Hever portrait that defines the Anne of my imagination, but I can see the face in the Holbein sketch as essentially the same as the face on the medal of 1534, and both have that broader mouth, so I suspect that the real Anne looked more like Holbein's contemporary portrait.
Great video and I agree with your pick. I did see an explanation of the ring Elizabeth wore and other portraits that existed...that Elizabeth herself commissioned them and without accurate portraits of descriptions of her she asked that they use her own likeness to create portraits of Anne?
They're actually not, Anne is not being exhumed and her skull has never been used in this way. There's been a picture of Emily Pooley's waxwork of Anne Boleyn doing the rounds on social media as a "facial reconstruction", but it's not, it's a creative work. Emily was inspired by the Holbein sketches and then used a friend as a model. See www.theanneboleynfiles.com/facial-reconstruction-anne-boleyn-no/
+emma duncan Yes, thank you. All those laid to rest should be left alone and not exhumed out of curiosity over something so superficial. Anne Boleyn was used and betrayed by all the men in her life. Her father and uncle were grasping and underhanded, and literally whored Anne and Mary out in a play to elevate their status. I believe that Henry was too quick to believe the lies and had he not been so prideful and remembered why he fell in love with her, he could have been the only man in her life who had nothing to lose or gain for standing by her. King Henry should have investigated her father and her slimy uncle and brother. RIP Queen Anne💐 . And, to all Henry.s queens. They had so much to endure, especially towards the middle where he was a big smelly repugnant fat ass. To the women who had to put up with his shit🍸🍸🍸 None will be forgotten.
Grace Futrell Ann Boleyn's bones lie in a jumble of human remains - all execution victims - beneath a chapel on the Tower grounds. A facial reconstruction is not remotely possible.
The problem with painters during these times did not actually paint the actual face they usually touch up the portraits to come up with a more flattering look of their patrons
Not always. Ever look up the image of Queen Mary I as she aged? She was absolutely fugly in her later years lol. Not attractive in the least, even by 16th century standards.
If you are talking about Queen Mary I yes she is fugly but I reckon it could have been her most flattering look. I think she looked far worse in person
+i2Bwitchy Here.s the thing, Queen Mary, having been a devout Catholic, was seen as a tyranical "old school" Catholic radical. At the time of her rule, she wasn.t all that popular with many of the nobles who had worked tirelessly under the King for reformation. All their work and efforts were haulted. I don.t know if she was "unfortunate looking " but her mother, Katharine, was said to be a handsome woman. Just like today, when a celebrity or public figure falls out of favor, rags are quick to publish the most unflattering pictures of the subject. In Queen Mary.s case, there may have been an agenda to make her out to be an ugly frump. Just as the agenda for those pushing Henry towards marrying Anne of Cleves. The painting was not a realistic likeness of how she really looked because several players close to the king had much to gain by that marriage. In any case, I don.t think we.ll ever really know if Queen Bloody Mary was as fugly as her political enemies made her out to be. If she was fugly, it had to be on Henry.s part because he carried around some ugly ass genes. Peace and Happy New Year 🍸🍸🍸
+i2Bwitchy Here.s the thing, Queen Mary, having been a devout Catholic, was seen as a tyranical "old school" Catholic radical. At the time of her rule, she wasn.t all that popular with many of the nobles who had worked tirelessly under the King for reformation. All their work and efforts were haulted. I don.t know if she was "unfortunate looking " but her mother, Katharine, was said to be a handsome woman. Just like today, when a celebrity or public figure falls out of favor, rags are quick to publish the most unflattering pictures of the subject. In Queen Mary.s case, there may have been an agenda to make her out to be an ugly frump. Just as the agenda for those pushing Henry towards marrying Anne of Cleves. The painting was not a realistic likeness of how she really looked because several players close to the king had much to gain by that marriage. In any case, I don.t think we.ll ever really know if Queen Bloody Mary was as fugly as her political enemies made her out to be. If she was fugly, it had to be on Henry.s part because he carried around some ugly ass genes. Peace and Happy New Year 🍸🍸🍸
I’m a descendant of Catherine Parr! I go through her aunt’s line! Unfortunately Catherine Parr isn’t in the line of being queen or related to a monarch :(
The Hever rose portrait is also the one that makes her look the prettiest, and for that reason alone I would dismiss it. I think the Holbein sketch is probably spot on of what Anne look like. I also take into consideration his reputation as being one of the finest artists of his time.
@2009FGA I've read every piece of Literature I can find over the years & Nowhere is she Ever refered to as "beautiful, stunning" nor anything like that. She's been identifued as pretty, attractive, & witty, but Never Beautiful. In fact they've stated her sister Mary was the truely Pretty one & Henry's friends at Court seemed to believe he was attracted by her independent wit. It was well known she was good at using cosmetics & clothes (she designed her own) to enhance (or hide) her appearance
