Art & War in the Renaissance

Art & War in the Renaissance, published to coincide with a major traveling exhibition, presents distinctive arms and armor within the rich context of an important tapestry series to highlight the beauty of Renaissance Europe’s war culture.

This significant contribution to art history and military display explores the art of war, from ceremonial armor, blades, and rifles to the sumptuous Flemish tapestries depicting the Battle of Pavia, the 1525 battle between Francis I, King of France, and Emperor Charles V that arguably shaped modern European history.

The book presents the fashions of the sixteenth century, including fine armor, intricately detailed weapons, and haute-couture–like costumes for men of war. The exceptional cycle of seven impressive tapestries from the Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte depicts the life-size action of the Battle of Pavia, as designed by Bernard van Orley, the leading Brussels artist of the time. Recent access to the d’Avalos family’s private archive sheds light on the prestigious commissioning of the tapestries by Charles V and their history.

Essays by leading scholars explore the d’Avalos archive, the visual representations of battles, the Farnese armory and other European armories, the Pavia tapestries, as well as their preparatory drawings, now housed at the Louvre. Gatefolds and many lush details complete this volume.