Six Lives at the National Portrait Gallery review: Henry VIII still looms large in this celebration of his wives
by Melanie McDonagh
Jun 18, 2024
2 minutes
![](https://article-imgs.scribdassets.com/4j1uli960wcnnrn8/images/file3YUFCKJ4.jpg)
We’ve had Six the Musical; welcome to Six Lives, the exhibition on the six wives of Henry VIII. Forget “Divorced, beheaded, died”, as with the West End show, here the women are presented in their own right.
A display of names starts the show, with each given, “Reformer” (her motto “The Most Happy” doesn’t read well); Anne of Cleves, “Landowner” (not the first thing you think about her); , “Patron” (eh?); Katherine Howard, “Intercessor” (floozie); Katherine Parr, “Regent”.
You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.
Start your free 30 days