Armor of Henry II, King of France (reigned 1547–59)

Baptiste Pellerin|Jean Cousin the Elder

ca. 1555 · Steel, gold, silver, leather, textile · Arms and Armor

This is one of the most elaborate and complete French parade armors, and it retains much of its original coloring. The surfaces are covered by dense foliate scrolls inhabited by human figures and a variety of fabulous creatures that derive from the Italian grotesque. The decoration includes, at the center of the breast, a Roman warrior receiving tribute of arms from two kneeling females and, on the shoulders, Apollo chasing the nymph Daphne (front) and Apollo with the slain monster Python (back). The crescent moon, one of the badges of Henry II (reigned 1547–59), appears in several places. Twenty original design drawings for this armor survive. One is by Jean Cousin the Elder; the rest are by either Étienne Delaunne or Baptiste Pellerin. All three were distinguished Parisian artists of the mid-sixteenth century.

Artist

Baptiste Pellerin|Jean Cousin the Elder

Date

ca. 1555

Medium

Steel, gold, silver, leather, textile

Culture

French, possibly Paris

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1939