This exhibition does well to put each queen at the centre of the exhibition – but still Henry VIII and other key male figures of the era threaten to overshadow them.
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded and survived is the little rhyme that is one of the first ways that we all learn about Henry VIII and his six wives – but the National Portrait Gallery seeks to redress this with its exhibition focusing on the lives of infamous king’s wives.
As somebody who has read as many books (both fictional and non-fictional) on Henry VIII and his wives, this exhibition offers a chance to see each of his queens through their own individual perspectives and a chance for their personalities to shine through.
Throughout this display, there are some truly fascinating artefacts that relate to their lives – including a number of extraordinary historical items such as letters that an avid fan of the Tudor period of history can not fail to appreciate. The letters and documents in each individual queen’s section of the exhibition are a particular delight to see as they give the most depth to the individual queens.
The early part of the exhibition concentrates on the enduring way in which each of the queens still influence and fascinate popular culture – including SIX the musical and a series of portraits based on wax models made in the 1980’s photographed by Hiroshi Sugimoto that are fascinating to view and bring them out of the history pages to real life in an emotional way thanks the way in which the lighting reflects off the faces.
It has to be said that the letters, paintings and other more personal belongings that have been selected for display for each individual queen’s section has been carefully thought through. However, the information surrounding each section feels slightly more obvious and doesn’t offer quite the insight as much as it could do in terms of giving life to each personality – with the exception of quotes ahead of each section. I was really fascinated by letters written by Katherine of Aragon and Catherine Howard that are filled with feeling and insight.
The exhibition really hints at the queen’s influence over the Tudor court (with the exception of Catherine Howard of whom very little is known) in their own different ways – that also led to their own downfall from court and marriage.
Yet at the same time as much as the exhibition tries to put all of the queens at the centre, there is still a pull to bring the men into it as well, with portraits of Sir Thomas More, Stephen Gardiner and Cardinal Wolsey getting involved with the story as well – inevitable but at the same time there is a way to focus on their time in court and lives without trying to repeat the stories that we have heard before.
It is a tight and concise exhibition but you do feel as though there is still much to be said about each individual queen (yes including Anne of Cleeves who I have always thought as underestimated) in a way that suggests that everyone of them deserves an individual exhibition to bring into focus as to what they brought to the Tudor court.
It is fascinating viewing and for Tudor enthusiasts there is much that will keep them enthralled in terms of the objects on display but more attention could have been paid to the information that is revealed to make each queen distinctive. Yet through the range of media on display here we still get a sense of their spirit.
By Emma Clarendon
Six Lives: The Stories of Henry VIII’s Queens is on display until the 8th September.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐