Henry VIII was an enthusiastic patron of the arts and his palaces, tapestries and paintings enriched the Tudor court and began the Royal Collection.

The forces that influenced Henry’s life can be seen in the works he commissioned, by artists such as Pietro Torrigiano and Hans Holbein. They tell us much about his kingship and (unintentionally) his insecurities. All of them have one central aim: the glorification of Henry and his England.

Attendees: TASH Members & their Guests Only.  Arrive early to enjoy drinks, lunch and great company.

Timings: Morning Lecture & Online @ 10:45 / Afternoon Lecture @ 14:15.

How Henry VIII Used Art to Shape Power, Image and Legacy

The Arts Society Henley is delighted to welcome acclaimed historian and lecturer, Siobhan Clarke, for an illuminating exploration of Henry VIII as a patron of the arts. Based on her highly praised book “King & Collector”, co‑authored with Linda Collins, Clarke’s lecture reveals a side of Henry VIII that is often overshadowed by his political and marital dramas: his deliberate use of art, architecture, and material splendour to project power, legitimacy, and magnificence.

Clarke’s work has been widely celebrated for offering “a whole new way of looking at Henry VIII”, uncovering “quirky, little‑known facts” and presenting a vivid portrait of the king through the artworks that surrounded him [Tudor Times].

At the heart of Clarke’s lecture is the idea that Henry VIII was not an art lover in the later connoisseurial sense, but a ruler who understood the political potency of imagery. His palaces, tapestries, jewels, and paintings were carefully curated instruments of propaganda, designed to glorify his kingship and assert England’s place among the great powers of Europe. This aligns with reviewers’ observations that Henry’s commissions were “not so much things to be admired in themselves, but foils to project his own magnificence.” [Tudor Times].

Clarke will guide members through the works of artists such as Pietro Torrigiano and Hans Holbein, whose portraits and sculptures helped craft the king’s public identity. As reviewers note, Henry “deliberately cultivated and expanded his image to strike awe into his subjects, and terror into his enemies.” [Tudor Times]. From the Field of Cloth of Gold to the monumental Abraham Tapestries, these artworks illuminate both Henry’s ambitions and his insecurities.

The lecture also benefits from Clarke’s deep professional background. With over twenty years’ experience at Historic Royal Palaces, she has written for BBC History Magazine and appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. Her expertise ensures that members will not only learn about Tudor art but also understand its political symbolism, craftsmanship, and enduring legacy.

This lecture promises to be a richly illustrated journey into the splendour of Henry VIII’s court — a world of bejewelled courtiers, glittering tapestries, and carefully orchestrated royal display. It offers a rare opportunity to see the Tudor monarch not just as a figure of power, but as a curator of his own legend.  Join us in March 2027, for a lecture that brings Henry VIII’s visual world dazzlingly to life and deepens our understanding of how art shaped — and revealed — the mind of one of history’s most compelling kings.