The Last Knight

The Last Knight: The Art, Armor, and Ambition of Maximilian I exhibit opened on October 7th at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts in its Fifth Avenue location. (Steel gauntlets, Maximilian I, ca. 1490)

The exhibition examines the role of European armor at the start of the Renaissance and celebrates the 500th anniversary of the death of Emperor Maximilian I. (Cuirass – breastplate and backplate – and pauldrons – shoulder armor – ca. 1480–90.)

Collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece 16th Century

Maximilian, who was Holy Roman Emperor from 1508 until 1519, had a passion for the knighthood. (Shaffron – horse mask – of Maximilian I 1513 and armored saddle with iron hand ca. 1500–1510)

Also on display are related manuscripts, paintings, sculpture, glass tapestry and more.

Left to right: Helm – helmet – for the Netherlandish Joust of Peace, right gauntlet and left arm defense, an armet – a bowl helmet – and cuirass from a field armor.

This armored skirt allowed wearers to ride horses. (An armored skirt ca. 1510–15)

The exhibition runs through January 5, 2020.

Maximilian’s extravagant armor showcases his patronage of European armorers. (Armor of Philip I 1500)

(Bard – body armor for horses – presented by Maximilian I to Henry VIII ca. 1505)

Hisayo Dordick, who works security at the Met museum says fall is a busy season. “Last year in October at least eight million people came to visit the different exhibits. It was packed. You couldn’t see the floors.” (Papal presentation sword ca. 1510 and later)

(Saint George and the Dragon, last third 15th century)