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Armor & Art
Imperial Austria
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“This is CMA’s first major exhibition to deal with the subject of arms and armor,” Timothy Rub, CMA director, said. “The exhibition presents extraordinary examples of armor and weapons in historical context. That is, they will be presented with paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts objects that will provide the subject with deeper meaning and the audience with a greater historical understanding of their purpose and function.” |
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The heart of Imperial Austria comes from significant loans from the Landeszeughaus (regional armory) collection in Graz, the capital of Styria. The armory, which is still intact, was one of a series of armories established by the early Habsburg Family in the 16th century.
The Landeszeughaus housed 180,000 pieces; today it contains 30,000 items including some of the finest surviving examples of arms and armor in Europe. Imperial Austria containing over 200 works, examines the role of arms and armor in a historical context. These pieces were highly-decorated art objects and functional weaponry and in some instances both. Warfare, tournaments and armor as fashion themes are an integral part of the CMA's exhibit.
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Peter Paul Rubens was the court painter to Duke Vincenzo Gonzaga and was sent on a diplomatic mission to Spain in 1603-1604. It is believed to be Rubens's first encounter with the powerful Habsburg dynasty. |
Returning to Italy he created this portrait of Charles V, drawing inspiration from a Parmigianino painting in Duke Vincenzo Gonzaga's collection. In this allegorical work Charles V is dressed in ceremonial armor, tied in with the themes of Imperial Austria with his imperial insignia: crown, scepter, sword and globe.
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Precision was an Albrecht Dürer trademark in his engravings. Knight, Death, and the Devil is often called The Rider. It is an allegory of Christian salvation. Satan stands behind the rider, who faces Death, a figure holding an hourglass. The soldier's faith sustains him. This engraving is one of Dürer's best known works. |
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“This is a rare opportunity to experience works from Europe’s largest and oldest intact armory,” said Stephen Fliegel, CMA curator of medieval art. “This exhibition will feature a compelling design in which large groups of armor are arranged in battle formation. It will capture the romance and chivalry of the subject of armor with its concomitant aspects of protection of the weak by the strong, courtesy towards women, solidarity, and loyalty. The exhibition will be breathtaking in its presentation with the armor presented as “sculpture in steel”. It presents a slice of Austrian history at its most compelling phase, the Renaissance, during which the arts and artistic patronage were flourishing. If you don’t see this show, you will miss the opportunity to see one of Europe’s most important and historic collections of arms and armor.”
Arms and Armor from Imperial Austria
Cleveland Museum of Art:
February 24 - June 1, 2008