Postcard History

If, by chance you’re out driving in East Anglia, some sixty miles northeast of London, you may see signs to Hedingham Castle. If you see a sign, turn whichever way the arrow points and stop for a visit. It will be well worth your time.

Depending on the seasons, you will likely find a jousting tournament, an archery competition, a falconry race, or a battle re-enactment. In the warm months there are fairs, in the fall there are art shows and concerts. You may also find a vintage car show.

The castle is still a family home, but the Lindsay family welcomes guests from March to October and school children year-round. Some of the favorite educational opportunities are held in the Castle Art School (officially the GCSE Art and Design Studio). Through the years several noteworthy projects have come from the GCSE classes and one of the most intriguing was the Quincentennial Celebration of Henry VIII’s Birth in 1991.

Today, almost five hundred years since his reign ended, Henry is “still” perhaps, England’s most famous king. He is remembered for his six marriages and his notable disagreement with Pope Clement over a proposed annulment of his first marriage to Catherine of Aragon, a Spanish princess.

Henry’s obstinance led to the separation of the Church of England from papal authority. Henry appointed himself the head of the church and proceeded to dissolve every convent and monastery in England. The pope then excommunicated Henry. And, as the legend goes, Henry never smiled again. Or something like that!

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So, let’s learn about Henry’s 500^th birthday party. Early in 1991, the headmaster of the Hedingham Art School selected eight students to act as an exhibit committee that would work toward a gala art exhibit that would go public at the Henry VIII Pageant in July.

The assignment was succinct: each student was to research an artistic style of their own choice, learn which famous artist developed that style and create a portrait of Henry VIII using the chosen artist’s stylistic approach. The reward for a successful conclusion of their assignment would be a cash prize and their inclusion as a signed artist in a set of postcards that would be published as souvenirs.

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Creating art in another’s style can be a fascinating exercise. When done with enthusiasm the result is a bridge between inspiration and imitation. It allows artists to explore different techniques and perspectives. By studying the nuances of a particular artist’s work, like brushstroke, the use of color, and composition a student can gain insights into their own methodic expression and thematic choices. This practice, often rooted in art history, encourages a dialogue between artists across time who have goals designed to reinterpret the original style. Ultimately, blending a new vision with a borrowed technique can lead to a rich and new art form that rewards the new creator.

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Eight Portraits of Henry VIII

The art on these modern 4” x 6” postcards when measured by all accounts is both instructive and amusing. Some of it is laugh out loud funny, yet it is amazing that the copied styles are so easily identified.

The “signed artists” [the students] have not been thoroughly researched, but at least three of the eight have come into their own as artists in the last thirty years. Another (or someone with an identical name) is a published mystery writer.  Happily, for them, the other four have escaped the Internet’s talon that has hooks in most everyone these days. So, we leave further discussion for our readers. Meanwhile, enjoy the art.