Wacky Portrait of Edward VI. Crazy Tudor Portrait. Optical Illusion in the Famous Painting

From History Calling

This INSANE looking portrait of Edward VI was most likely painted by William Scrots in 154? when the future King of England and only surviving son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour was still the Prince of Wales. It contains an anamorphic optical illusion which makes it appear distended and bizarre looking from the front, but when viewed from just the right angle to the right of the image, it resolves into a normal looking bust portrait of the once and future King. In today’s Tudor history documentary from History Calling, I take you through the incredible feat of artistry that is this painting, explaining how and why it was created, how we know that Scrots painted it, what the text around the edge says and how we know that the background isn’t original. I’ll also tell you about its journey from the ownership of the last Tudor King, Edward VI, to the present day, including accounts of those who saw it in Whitehall Palace during the Tudor era and how it was sold off by the Parliamentarians after the English Civil War, but managed to survive the ravages of time. I’ll tell you a little more about Anamorphosis too, including the reference to it in William Shakespeare’s play, Richard III. This video about a famous Tudor painting is especially appropriate for anyone with an interest in art history, the history of the Tudor family or in understanding how optical illusions work. It will also include some details about the life of Edward VI.