When in Wien... See Italian Wars Armour!

In a visit to a part of the Neue Hofburg Palace, I expected to do a tour on the history of the House of Habsburg.  Unfortunately, my better half and I found ourselves experiencing something different.  On the plus side, for me, we spent time wading through rooms of Renaissance period armour.

Well... it would've been rude not to take some photos... if only for research for my Italian Wars project.

If you're not into armour, look away now.

Suit belonging to King Ferdinand V of Aragon and Sicily, made around 1490-1500.

I was interested in seeing the articulation of the armour available, the degree of variation in style and the degree of blackening and gold gilding of Renaissance armour.

Suit belonging to Roberto da Sanseverino, around 1487

One thing that became apparent was the variety of helmet that existed during the early to mid 16th century and the life span of designs.  Which shouldn't be a surprise bearing in mind the incredible expense involved in having a suit of armour made.

The top half of a suit made for the Emperor Maximillian I, made around 1494.
I should add that the background is an enormous wall sized family tree of the Habsburgs.  They married well... then later on, incestuously!

None of the armour on display was blackened.  Possibly because blackening was for battlefield wear.  Though many pieces in the museum were made for tournament and field wear.  However, the following suit certainly shows that some armour had large amounts of gold gilt.  Funnily, this level of gold armour would be something that I might've previously associated only in painting fantasy figures.

Another suit worn by Emperor Maximillian I, from 1508

Made around 1485, a suit for a younger Maximillian.

Made around 1485, a suit for a younger Maximillian.
This is an example of late Gothic armour.  The Germans preferred slender and ornate forms of armour.  This one imitating the courtly dress of the time - observe the foot armour.

In the following portrait of the Emperor Maximillian, it appears that his armour is blackened somewhat.  However, it did make me wonder if the museum pieces have been too polished to a display standard.

Maximillian cemented his reputation as the "Last Knight" with his passion for tournaments and culture of chivalry.

Again, there is evidence of the armour being made to measure.  Apparent in the height and in the form.  What was interesting to discover was that on occasion suits of armour were worn to parties and festivities.  Some with specially made helmets with faces on the visors - a bit like Venetian masks.

The armour of Matthew Lang von Wellenburg, Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, made in 1511.  He was a close advisor to the Emperor and an imperial diplomat.

With the previous and next suits, I was looking at the gilt on the torso and how they ran vertically.  The one below has recessed blued areas.  A shame it doesn't show on the photo.

Count Eitel Friedrich II von Zollern.  An imperial commander and confidante of Maximillian I.  Made between 1505 - 10.

Count Andreas von Sonnenberg, a military commander under Emperor Maximillian I.  The suit was made sometime between 1505 and 1510.

Lastly, a suit to imitate the look of the landsknechts.

Made in Augsburg in 1523.

I guess that's enough metal for now.  Thank you for your indulgence.