Throughout time, there have been many masterful paintings with hidden images, objects, and meanings. The Ambassadors is a full-length double-portrait by Hans Holbein the Younger painted in 1533. It features many objects that represent the artist’s views of both heaven and earth. To learn about the artist and the objects in the painting, check out the video The Ambassadors: The Mysteries of Holbein's Masterpiece.

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How many of these objects can you find in this painting? 
● The gold dagger- The number on it tells the age of Jean de Dinteville, a land owner who is portrayed on the left.
● A blue and gold tassel hanging-gold leaf was glued on the gold strand.
● Badge of a skull on Jean de Dinteville’s hat- This skull reminds us that death comes to us all.
● The man on the right is Georges de Selve, the Bishop of Lavaur. Can you find the book under his arm? The number on the book gives us a clue to the man’s age.
The painting The Ambassadors features many objects that have been assembled together to create a larger composition. The artist selected objects that had special meaning to him and his painting’s subjects.
Make your own assemblage-build your own city! 

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You can create your own art assemblage at home. Here is an example of an assemblage done by Museum Educator Lisa J. and her daughter. They made their own city by collecting ordinary objects from their home. How many objects can you find?
Bat
Lion
Skeleton hand
Cupcake
Crab
Cat
Sea shell
Skeleton head
Fox
Ball of red string
Needle pack
Alpha Milk pack
Butterfly
Eraser head
Diaper pin
Number 4
Googly eye
Yellow button
Plain wooden block
Orange heart
Bell
Driftwood
Green frog
White rock
Rainbow button
Green zig zag
Pink puff ball
Black spider
Tan dino
Pink clothespin
Fly
Centipede
Brown cockroach
Stapler
Yellow paint
City Assemblage Directions:
1: Find objects that you would like to include in your own city. You can choose items for their color, shape, size, or texture, or choose objects that have special meaning to you, or just because you like how they look! Don’t forget to look outside too!
2: Arrange your objects on a table or a floor. 
3: Make a list of the objects you used and print the list.
4: Ask each person in your home to add an item to the city you built, adding their items to the list you previously created as well.
5: See if your family can “spy” each one of the objects on your list by looking at your artwork. Set a time limit and ward small prizes or treats to the one who finds all the items first. 
6: Take turns making changes to your city or create new assemblages. 
7: Take a photograph of your work and share it along with your list, with distant friends and family. This is a fun way to share your artwork with others who are not in your home! How many objects can your friends see in your photograph?
8: We would love to see your work, please share your city assemblage artwork on our social media with the hashtag #wamcreateclub 
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