Breastplate 1505 - 1560

Curator: The Breastplate, crafted between 1505 and 1560 by Valentin Siebenbürger, resides here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: It's a compelling object. The cold, hard gleam of the metal projects an aura of strength, but also isolation. You can almost feel the weight of it. Curator: Siebenbürger, an accomplished artisan of the Renaissance, created this armor with particular attention to its composition. Observe the elegant lines and balanced forms. Do you notice the etched floral designs along the top edge? They introduce an element of grace, counterpointing the stark functionality of the piece. Editor: Indeed. However, thinking of its function makes me consider the labor invested here. Imagine the process of hammering and shaping the metal, the physical skill required, not to mention the specific iron ore from which it was smelted. Consider, too, how access to materials like this created social hierarchies. Armor denotes protection and defense, but its cost also created inequality. Curator: An excellent point. We can also interpret the armor symbolically. Its purpose is clearly defensive. It represents the will to survive, and also suggests the prevalence of violence during the period in which it was created. The way it seems to encase the body presents questions about freedom and restriction. Editor: That's a compelling reading. I'm more inclined to interpret this as a display of technical expertise of metalworking. Also, how much might a piece like this have been embellished according to a patron's particular social and political affiliations? It could communicate those to viewers of the time. Curator: I hadn't considered that. Editor: By carefully analyzing the process, material components, and possible socioeconomic implications surrounding an object, we find that we may learn things that have little to do with battles at all! Curator: Right. By examining the relationship between decoration, structure, and protection in a single art object we can appreciate not only the artistry, but perhaps a fuller sense of self that its intended owner wished to convey to their peers.