This is an unusual example of armor that is embossed with a contemporary scene rather than one from ancient history, mythology, or the Bible. The shield depicts the surrender of Prince-Electory Johann Friedrich of Saxony (1503–1554) to Emperor Charles V (reigned 1519–56) after the battle of Mühlberg on April 24, 1547. This battle marked the defeat of Protestant German princes at the hands of the Catholic League, led by the emperor. The scene derives from an engraving by Maerten van Heemskerck (1498–1574) that is part of a series depicting the triumphs of Charles V, published in Antwerp in 1556.
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Title:Surrender of the Elector of Saxony
Date:ca. 1560–70
Geography:Milan
Culture:Italian, Milan
Medium:Steel, gold, silver
Dimensions:D. at center, 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); Diam. 23 in. (58.4 cm); Wt. 8 lb. 10 oz. (3900.9 g)
Classification:Shields
Credit Line:Gift of Stephen V. Grancsay, 1942
Accession Number:42.50.5
Clarence H. Mackay, Roslyn, NY (until d. 1938; his estate, sold through Seligmann & Co. to Grancsay); Stephen V. Grancsay, New York (by January 14, 1941–42; his gift to MMA).
Detroit. The Detroit Institute of Arts. "Decorative Arts of the Italian Renaissance, 1400–1600," November 18, 1958–January 4, 1959.
Detroit. Detroit Institute of Arts. "Decorative Arts of the Italian Renaissance 1400–1600," November 18, 1958–January 4, 1959, no. 206.
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. "The Triumph of Humanism: A Visual Survey of the Decorative Arts of the Renaissance," October 22, 1977–January 8, 1978, no. 112.
Granada. Sociedad Estatal para la Conmemoración de los Centenarios. "Carlos V," April 13–June 25, 2000.
Geneva. Musée Rath, Musées d'Art et d'Histoire de Genève. "Parures Triomphales. Le Maniérisme dans l'Art de l'Armure Italienne," March 20–July 20, 2003, no. 56.
Torgau. Hartenfels Castle. "Luther and the Princes. The Ruler's Image and Concept in the Age of the Reformation," May 15, 2015–November 1, 2015.
Stirling-Maxwell, Sir William, and Martin Heemskerk. The Chief Victories of the Emperor Charles the Fifth. London; Edinburgh: privately printed, 1870.
Schwäbische Kreis-, Industrie-, Gewerbe- und Kunsthistorische Ausstellung, verbunden mit Landwirthschaftlichen Fachausstellungen. Meisterwerke Schwäbischer Kunst: aus der Kunsthistorischen Abtheilung der Schwäbischen Kreisausstellung Augsburg 1886. Munich: Werner, 1886. pl. 32.
Fugger und Welser Erlebnismuseum. Katalog 1909. München: F. Bruckmann, 1909. no. 1037.
Grancsay, Stephen V. "The Exhibition of European Arms and Armor: Notes On Some Ornamented Pieces." The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin XXVI, no. 9 p. 204, fig. 1.
Grancsay, Stephen V. Loan Exhibition of European Arms and Armor: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, August 3 to September 27, 1931. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1931. p. 31, no. 100.
British Museum, Arthur Hind, Campbell Dodgson, and Arthur Ewart Popham. Catalogue of Drawings by Dutch and Flemish Artists Preserved in the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum. Vol. V. London: The Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1932. p. 19, no. 1.
Christie's, London. A Portion of the Famous Collection of Arms and Armour and Works of Art. London: Christie's, London, July 27, 1939. no. 60.
Grancsay, Stephen V. Historical Armor: A Picture Book. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1944. p. 2, pl. 10.
Grancsay, Stephen V. Historical Armor: A Picture Book. 2nd ed. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1946. p. 2, pl. 10.
Vetter, Robert. "Is a New "Period" Emerging? Ruminations of an Austrian Collector." The Magazine Antiques 54 p. 163.
Grancsay, Stephen V. "A Parade Shield of Charles V." The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin VIII no. 4 p. 123–132.
Grancsay, Stephen V. Historical Armor: A Picture Book. 3rd ed. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1951. p. 2, pl. 10.
Grancsay, Stephen V. Historical Armor: A Picture Book. 4th ed. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1957. p. 2, pl. 10.
Detroit Institute of Arts and Paul L. Grigaut. Decorative Arts of the Italian Renaissance, 1400–1600: [exhibition] the Detroit Institute of Arts, November 18, 1958–January 4, 1959. Detroit: The Detroit Institute of Arts, 1958. no. 206.
Grancsay, Stephen V., D. Graeme Keith, and Dr. Charles Avery. The Triumph of Humanism: A Visual Survey of the Decorative Arts of the Renaissance. San Francisco: Legion of Honor, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, 1977. no. 112.
Grancsay, Stephen V., and Stuart W. Pyhrr. Arms & Armor: Essays by Stephen V. Grancsay from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin 1920–1964. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1986. pp. 348–362; fig. 101.4.
Marías, Fernando, Felipe Pereda Espeso, and Universidad de Granada. Carlos V: Las Armas y Las Letras: Hospital Real, Granada 14 De Abril–25 De Junio, 2000. Madrid, April 14–June 25, 2000. cat. no. 102, p. 403.
Godoy, José-A., and Silvio Leydi. Parures Triomphales: Le Maniérisme dans l'Art de l'Armure Italienne. Milan: 5 Continents, 2003. cat. no. 73, pp. 264–265, 476–477.
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