Backplate 1460 - 1520

Editor: So, this is a "Backplate," crafted between 1460 and 1520, currently housed at the Met. The artist is Hans Prunner. It’s a striking metal sculpture – medieval armor, really. What catches my eye is the sheer weight and protection it symbolizes. What do you see in this piece, especially from a symbolic viewpoint? Curator: Immediately, I see a potent symbol of status and protection, evolving from the basic needs of survival. Look at the craftsmanship; each curve is a testament to skill, yes, but also a visual echo of classical ideals adapting to the realities of the battlefield. What does the geometric form remind you of? Editor: I guess I see basic shapes...Circles and lines that connect to something more. Is it meant to be elegant or purely functional? Curator: It embodies both. Functionality IS elegance in this case. Think about the emotional landscape of the era. Religious certainty was yielding to individual prowess. The armor reflects this—divine protection gives way to personal agency through armor. The symbol itself transforms from that of communal faith to that of individual courage. Editor: So, you’re saying it’s more than just armor; it represents a shift in power and perception? Curator: Precisely. It's cultural memory made manifest. Each plate evokes both defense and a complex set of societal values tied up in a specific time. A narrative unfolds the more one delves. What new insights have you gained today? Editor: It's fascinating to consider this "Backplate" as a convergence of function, social standing, and artistic representation. I’ll definitely consider these symbols as part of a larger conversation around value, survival and artistic symbolism in general. Curator: It makes us recall the visual weight it would bear and reflect upon that time. Consider the narrative it might silently tell.