Spanish royal armor and portraits illustrate 'the art of power' at DC’s National Gallery

June 24, 5:29 PMDC Art Travel ExaminerMarsha Dubrow

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the DC Art Travel Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

 

For first time ever, magnificent Spanish royal armor are shown alongside Old Masters’ portraits of Spanish emperors, kings and their horses wearing the regalia that dates back to the time of Columbus. 

Washington’s National Gallery of Art perfectly named the exhibition “The Art of Power: Royal Armor and Portraits from Imperial Spain”. 

The exhibition, due to close November 1, has been extended through November 29.

Armor is an extraordinarily exquisite art form, a sort of wearable sculpture. Great artists such as Albrecht Dürer drew designs that were elaborately etched, engraved, or embossed on armor. The portraits of armor-clad rulers are by Peter Paul Rubens, Diego Velázquez, Anthony van Dyck, among other masters. And of course, Spain built one of the world’s most powerful empires ever, from late 15^th century into the 18^th century. 

Also, royal armor and such portraits enhanced and exalted rulers' power and chivalric image, so-called “gods in uniform”.  This dazzlingly ornate armor was used less for military purposes than for parades, pageants, jousting tournaments, and other Renaissance rituals. 

Armor enhanced the power and image also of diplomats who presented these hugely expensive, prized gifts to Spanish rulers. Talk about influence-peddling -- a full suit of armor could “cost the equivalent of today’s executive jet”, said exhibition curator Alvaro Soler del Campo, Director of Madrid’s Spanish Royal Armory.  

During an advance private tour of the Spanish Royal Armory, the world’s oldest, he noted that armor was “similar to haute couture. In the 16^th century, no more than 15 people could afford luxury armor, and only three people could make fine armor” fit for a king or emperor.

The first artwork in the National Gallery’s exhibit combines armor and portraiture in a single masterpiece. This parade helmet (pictured above) is a portrait of golden-locked, golden-bearded, pierced-eared Holy Roman Emperor Charles V who ruled Spain as King Charles I (1516-1556), and adored armor. The helmet was crafted by the most prominent Renaissance armorer, Filippo Negroli, who “had to do something new and special for the Emperor – it had to be the very latest fashion,” Alvaro said. 

Surprisingly, some of the most spectacular armor is for horses and for young prince Philip III (whose kingly reign was 1598-1621).

Equestrian armor for steeds of Emperor Maximilian I (1508-1519) is among the finest to survive from the Renaissance. Armorer Kolman Helmschmid (see image at right) created images of Hercules on the right side, and of biblical hero Samson on the left. “The message is strength – like ‘May the force be with you,’” Alvaro joked.

We saw this set being cleaned by Royal Armory conservators in preparation for the Washington exhibit. “Some armor was in a perfect state, but some had active corrosion,” he explained. 

One of two suits of armor for seven-year-old Prince Philip III has grotesques and images of virtues like Fortitude, Justice, Temperance, Fame, and Victory, meant to govern his life. Two portraits depict the prince in the armor years after he would have outgrown the wee sets.

Among the many other highlights in the 75 items: