A couple of years ago I received a wonderful book about the painter Hans Holbein, best known for his portraits of the court of Henry VIII. It is full of lavish illustrations of his paintings. What I didn’t remember was that he was almost executed for his painting of Anne of Cleves. Other contemporaries, other than the King, considered the likeness to be very accurate. The King blamed the painter, in part, for the brief marriage.
Observing a number of Royal Commissions and the like recently it has struck me how people who paint accurate pictures, be it in oils or in words, can be in danger. Instead followers give leaders the picture they want. I am very grateful for the people who help show us the truth and their courage. We need them.
Philip Cornish
Thank you to Philip Cornish for providing this reflection on 1 March 2023.
