An Allegory of the Reformation

Edward VI and the Pope, an Allegory of the Reformation

The painting I chose for this weeks post represents the handing over of power from Henry VIII to his son Edward VI. About the origin of the painting itself little is known. The artist is unknown and art historians even debate over the date it is produced. Some claim that it is a contemporary work, which was produced right after Henry’s death in 1547 while others believe it was produced during the 1560s. The National Portrait Gallery of London, where the oil painting is exhibited today, dates it around 1570.

           

However we don’t know much about the origin of the painting, the content of it is reflects clearly the beginning of the Reformation in England. Henry VIII lies in his bed pointing to his son Edward VI, who sits on a dias in a throne next to him. Since Edward was only ten years old at the time his father died, Henry VIII named sixteen executors in his will, to act as Edward's Council until he reached the age of 18. Some of the council members are depicted around the table. Right next to Edward’s side stands his uncle, Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector. At the top right we can figure out a picture of iconoclasm. Men are pulling down and smashing idols, which was an activity approved of by a lot of English religious reformers.

            

At the bottom of Edward’s feet a book falls onto the slumped figure of the pope. The book shows a text from Isaiah: "The Worde of the Lord endureth for ever". The ribbons around the pope reads: “idolatry” and “supersticion”, on his chest is written “all fleshe is grasse”, which is also a quote out of Isaiah and it means that every body is ephemeral. We can also see the words “feyned holiness” next to it.

The bent body of the pope and all the words around him, and also the way the pope points a triple cross towards two monks, who are chained to Edward's dais deliver the clear message of splitting with the Catholic Church. The English  Reformation started under Henry VIII but was fully accomplished under his son, Edward VI. It was not only Edward but also his uncle Seymour, who played a major role in the events at these changing times. Because of all the indications in the picture and the clear message it delivers, it is regarded as a piece of contemporary propaganda.

Sources:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ed_and_pope.png

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_VI_of_England