Breastplate

c. 1520

South German or Austrian (Innsbruck)

Once part of a complete armor, this breastplate features bold fluted or rippled surfaces meant to mimic the fashionable pleats and slashes on contemporary clothing. Enhancing the allusion to textiles, the slashes and borders are acid etched with ornament not unlike embroidery or patterned silk. On the center top is a scene of the Crucifixion, undoubtedly meant to invoke holy protection in battle.

Status: On View, Gallery 239
Department: Applied Arts of Europe

Title: Breastplate
Place: Innsbruck (Object Possibly made in)
Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.: Made 1510–1530
Medium: Steel
Credit Line: George F. Harding Collection
Reference Number: 1982.2425a
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