Literary Lunch Event

A beautifully illustrated biography of Hans Holbein, the German-born court painter to Henry VIII, marks the 500^th anniversary this year of the painter’s arrival in England.

Written by Elizabeth Goldring, Holbein features celebrated works alongside rarely seen paintings from private collections, and showcases new discoveries on the artist’s materials and techniques.

Holbein (c.1497-1543) brought Continental techniques and genres to Henry VIII’s England where he transformed the Tudors’ relationship to painting and opened their eyes to the political power of portraiture.

John Leland, the royal librarian, on seeing one of Holbein’s paintings of Henry VIII, said: “If ever a hand has painted a life-like face, this fresh, new panel has won the prize.”

The book explores his life in various cities becoming a master of multiple disciplines, before he settled into parallel lives in both London and Basel, with a family in each.

A concluding chapter traces the ways in which numerous artists and writers have since accorded myriad lives to Holbein.

Tickets can be purchased to just the talk or the talk and the Literary Lunch.
Options are available at the check-out.

Our popular Literary Lunch gives you a chance to meet Elizabeth Goldring in advance of the talk – in the relaxed surroundings of the Dining Hall at Cedars House. Elizabeth will join guests for lunch at 12.30pm before the short walk across to Cedars Hall where the talk will begin at 2pm.
Lunches must be ordered by Friday 9 October 2026. Tickets for the Literary Lunch are £12.50 each.

Menu:
Thai coconut chicken noodle soup followed by a glazed Sicilian lemon tart and clotted cream.
The soup is accompanied by artisan breads.

Please contact the box office on 01749 834483 if you have any special dietary requirements.