Henry VIII and Barber Surgeons. The Barber-Surgeons is a painting by Hans Holbein the Younger, created around 1543.
   It is a group portrait of the Company of Barber-Surgeons, a guild in London that combined the professions of barbering and surgery. The painting depicts four men, believed to be members of the guild, standing in a row.
   Each man is dressed in the clothing of the time and holds an object related to their profession. The objects include surgical instruments, a basin, and a lancet case, which are all depicted with great detail and realism.
   The painting is notable for its realistic and unidealized depiction of the men, which is typical of Holbein's style. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the profession of barber-surgery during the Renaissance period, highlighting the tools and techniques used by these practitioners.
   The painting also reflects the growing importance of science and medicine during this time, as well as the changing nature of professions and guilds in Renaissance society. Overall, The Barber-Surgeons is a valuable historical document and a testament to Holbein's skill as a painter. The painting was commissioned to commemorate the grant of a royal charter to the Company of Barbers and the Guild of Surgeons on their merger in 1540. Presumably at the request of his clients, Holbein based the design on that of the miniatures painted on Tudor charters of privileges. Henry did not sit f
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