Image making was a conscious task of the Tudor Monarchs, and Henry VIII, more than any other English king, succeeded in creating a powerful and enduring image of himself and his role as king. Hans Holbein the Younger, the King's painter, was the artist behind the creation of the image.The 500th anniversary of the birth of Henry VIII falls in 1991. This timely survey examines the contemporary images of Henry and his reign and assesses the successful portrayal of the king as the larger-than-life, ebullient character that every British schoolchild still recognises today. It also offers fresh insights into the depictions of Henry's reign in a variety of media over succeeding centuries - in plays, prints and more recently, movie and television productions.'Henry VIII: Images of a Tudor King' is published to coincide with an exhibition of the same name at Hampton Court Palace. The book is illustrated by a host of wonderfully rich paintings and artefacts - many of them in the Royal Collection - which complement the text to offer a splendid varied and unique view of the person and reign of Henry VIII.Christopher Lloyd is Surveyor of The Queen's Pictures. Simon Thurley is Curator of the Historic Royal Palaces and has recently completed a doctorate on 'English Royal Palaces 1450-1550'.