"Knights in Shining Armor: The Pavia Tapestries" is a cycle of seven lavish tapestries depicting scenes from the famed Battle of Pavia, being presented in the United States for the first time on a national tour.
Commissioned by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V to commemorate his decisive victory in 1524 over French King Francis I, the tapestries - monumental in scale, each measuring about 28 feet wide and 14 feet high - draw viewers into the world of Renaissance history, military technology, and fashion.
Narrative depictions of key moments from the battle are packed with near life-size figures and horses in full battle regalia, set within the scenography of the battlefield and countryside outside the besieged northern Italian city of Pavia. After a careful restoration, which has returned them to their original splendor, the entire cycle of seven tapestries.
Alongside the tapestries, impressive examples of precious arms and armor from the period evoke the human experience of war in the Renaissance.
The exhibition will remain on display through May 26.
"Knights in Shining Armor: The Pavia Tapestries" is a cycle of seven lavish tapestries depicting scenes from the famed Battle of Pavia, being presented in the United States for the first time on a national tour.
Commissioned by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V to commemorate his decisive victory in 1524 over French King Francis I, the tapestries - monumental in scale, each measuring about 28 feet wide and 14 feet high - draw viewers into the world of Renaissance history, military technology, and fashion.
Narrative depictions of key moments from the battle are packed with near life-size figures and horses in full battle regalia, set within the scenography of the battlefield and countryside outside the besieged northern Italian city of Pavia. After a careful restoration, which has returned them to their original splendor, the entire cycle of seven tapestries.
Alongside the tapestries, impressive examples of precious arms and armor from the period evoke the human experience of war in the Renaissance.
The exhibition will remain on display through May 26.