'The Bullshiteers' - NEW LARGE EDITION

19/9/2019

'The Bullshiteers (with a nod to Hans Holbein)'
New Large Edition Certified Giclée print now available
Limited edition of 250
Paper size 70cm x 64cm with a printed area of 58cm x 51.5cm

2 Comments

Greg Galbraith

27/12/2019 01:03:20 pm

Dear Tom,

Today I was delighted to discover online “the Bullshiteers” while searching for parodies of Holbein’s ambassadors. I have been interested in Holbein’s masterpiece since 1984 when I first viewed it in the National Gallery.

I am a Canadian living in Halifax, Nova Scotia and not familiar with two elements in your parody. Would you please identify for me what is in the top left corner where the crucifix should be, and who is the gnome-like character next to Boris?

Thanks,

Greg Galbraith

Tom Johnson

2/1/2020 01:27:54 pm

Dear Greg,

Thanks for your interest in The Bullshiteers, it was really nice to read your comment above; I'm also a big fan of Holbein's work as you can tell! That particular painting is quite enigmatic and full of visual treats, and no matter how many times I see it, I always seem to come away having noticed some small detail differently. To answer your questions: the object behind the curtain on the top left which replaces the crucifix is actually an AK47 assault rifle (read what you may into this replaced symbolism!), and the gnome figure, drinking a pint of beer and smoking a cigarette is non other than Nigel Farage. If you hadn't already heard of Farage, he is a politician who was a founder member of the UK Independence Party (known as UKIP) as well as the more recent Brexit Party, and was the leader of both parties. You can read a lot about him online so I won't try to give a biography of him here. Some people in the UK think he's great, some absolutely loathe him; I think it's obvious from my picture what I think of him!

I hope this answers your questions Greg, but do get in touch again if there's anything else in the painting you wanted to ask me about.

With best wishes,

Tom

TOM JOHNSON

'The Bullshiteers' - NEW LARGE EDITION

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