Detail View: The AMICA Library: Shield of Henry II of France
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AMICA ID:
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MMA_.34.85
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AMICA Library Year:
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2000
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Object Type:
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Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
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Creator Name:
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Delaune, Etienne
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Creator Nationality:
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European; French
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Creator Role:
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Designer
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Creator Dates/Places:
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1518/19-1583
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Creator Name-CRT:
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Probably after designs by Étienne Delaune
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Title:
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Shield of Henry II of France
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Title Type:
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Object name
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View:
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Full View
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Creation Date:
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ca. 1555
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Creation Start Date:
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1553
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Creation End Date:
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1557
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Materials and Techniques:
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Steel, embossed and damascened with gold and silver
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Classification Term:
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Armors
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Dimensions:
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H. 25 in. (63.5 cm), Wt. 7 lb. (32.2 kg)
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AMICA Contributor:
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The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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Owner Location:
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New York, New York, USA
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ID Number:
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34.85
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Credit Line:
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Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1934
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Rights:
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Context:
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The battle scene at the center depicts the victory of Hannibal and the Carthaginians over the Romans at Cannae in 216 B.C., an allusion to the struggle of France against the armies of the Holy Roman Empire during the sixteenth century. In the strapwork borders are the intertwined letters "H" for Henry II (r. 1547-59); "C" for Catherine de Médicis, his queen; and "D" for Diane de Poitiers, his mistress. Interspersed with the initials are crescents, the king's personal badge and a reference to the moon goddess Diana and her namesake Diane de Poitiers. The design of the shield is attributed to the Parisian goldsmith and printmaker Étienne Delaune (1518/19-1583), who probably also designed the armor of Henry II in the Museum's collection (Highlight #13). |
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Related Image Identifier Link:
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MMA_.aa34.85.R.tif
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