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Through the exceptional permanent collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, this book looks at arms and armor as art--from warfare to war games, from hunting to the pursuit of glory The Philadelphia Museum of Art's holdings of arms and armor are among the finest of their kind in the world. Presenting nearly 100 masterpieces from the collection, this lavishly illustrated volume includes complete armors and armor elements, swords, firearms and crossbows, staff weapons, horse equipment, and related accessories. Drawn for the most part from the princely armories of Europe, these objects represent the epitome of the armorer's art, and many are published here in color for the first time. The engaging text by Dirk H. Breiding summarizes the latest scholarship and discusses how the museum's collection--the core of which consists of a 1977 bequest by the distinguished connoisseur and scholar Carl Otto Kretzschmar von Kienbusch (1884-1976)--has evolved over the years. This volume reveals how arms and armor--uniting art, fashion, design, politics, and technology--can be seen as unique expressions of human creativity.
"This catalogue is issued in conjunction with an exhibition held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, from February 15, 2005, to January 15, 2006."--BOOK JACKET.
"The advent of the crossbow more than 2,500 years ago effected dramatic changes for hunters and warriors. For centuries, it was among the most powerful and widely used handheld weapons, and its popularity endures to this day. A Deadly Art presents a lively, accessible survey of the crossbow's "golden age," along with detailed descriptions of twenty-four remarkable examples. Beginning in the middle ages, the European aristocracy's enthusiasm for the crossbow heralded shooting competitions and pageants that featured elaborately decorated weapons bearing elegant embellishments of rare materials and prized artistry. In addition to being highly functional, these weapons were magnificent works of art. A Deadly Art includes fascinating descriptions of crossbows used by Margaret of Savoy and Holy Roman Emperors Maximilian I and Charles V, among others."--Publisher's description.
Maximilian I (1459–1519) skillfully crafted a public persona and personal mythology that eventually earned him the romantic sobriquet “Last Knight.” From the time he became duke of Burgundy at the age of eighteen until his death, his passion for the trappings and ideals of knighthood served his worldly ambitions, imaginative strategies, and resolute efforts to forge a legacy. A master of self-promotion, he ordered exceptional armor from the most celebrated armorers in Europe, as well as heroic autobiographical epics and lavish designs for prints. Indeed, Maximilian’s quest to secure his memory and expand his sphere of influence, despite chronic shortages of funds that left many of his most ambitious projects unfinished, was indomitable. Coinciding with the 500th anniversary of Maximilian’s death, this catalogue is the first to examine the masterworks that he commissioned, revealing how art and armor contributed to the construction of Maximilian’s identity and aspirations, and to the politics of Europe at the dawn of the Renaissance. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Verdana}
Many of us have long been captivated by images of knights in shining armor evoking the age of chivalry and the ideals of Camelot. In this richly illustrated volume, the beauty and complexity of the actual armor worn by European knights and soldiers comes brilliantly to the fore. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Verdana} How to Read European Armor presents a compelling overview of armor in Europe from the Middle Ages through the seventeenth century, the period when armor as an art form achieved its highest levels of stylistic beauty and functional perfection. During that time, skilled armorers developed ingenious solutions for protecting the body with armor that was effecti...
Provides a unique insight into the wider issues of medieval politics and culture, through an in-depth examination of medieval art.
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This authoritative and richly illustrated book covers the whole sweep of German history.
Based on close reading of original sources, Fallows (Spanish, U. of Georgia) offers a detailed reconstruction of the history and practice of jousting, detailing techniques and injuries, styles of fighting, and all the parts of the arms and armor used, with frequent citing of original descriptions. As is typical for this publisher, the volume is beautifully produced, printed on good stock and well-illustrated with color and b&w plates. Notable is the inclusion of three 15th- and 16th-century jousting manuals, presented in full in side-by-side English and Spanish translation. A glossary and bibliography are provided. The Boydell Press is an imprint of Boydell & Brewer. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).