Heroic Armor of the Italian Renaissance: Filippo Negroli and His Contemporaries

by Stuart W. Pyhrr, José-A. Godoy

Around 1525 a new fashion emerged in armour design, inspired by the forms and ornament of classical art. Embossed in high relief, richly gilt, and inlaid with gold and silver, these lavish parade armours are invariably associated with Filippo Negroli, the most innovative and celebrated of the renowned armourers of Milan. He and his family numbered among their patrons the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and members of the French court. Featuring photographs of shields, helmets, breastplates and other items, this volume displays Filippo's virtuoso skill at modelling in high relief. Individual commentaries draw on recent research to explain the Negroli armourers' extraordinary technical abilities which, combined with their imaginative adaptation of antique motifs, resulted in an original art form that evokes the pomp and pageantry of the Renaissance courts.

Genres: History

368 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1998

Reviews

[Kenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alongside pictures and history regarding Italian Renaissance armour by the Negroli family, also offers insight into the development of the all'antica-style (and its evolution) with examples of armour and imagery from antiquity that Renaissance artists and armourers may have taken from.

[Reid Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't have to like war and violence to enjoy this book. In the 16th century, European armor-makers perfected their craft and catered to fabulously rich clients. Just like the art and literature of the renaissance, the most beautiful of these pieces of armor deliberately copied the very best of the ancient Greeks, Romans, Carthaginians, and beyond. The surviving body of this "heroic" style of armor is absolutely stunning in its detail and craftsmanship. And yes--there are some nipples on these breastplates.

[Lanny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a treasure of human craft and skill. Negroli's armors
are some of the most exquisitely wrought objects ever! And the
book itself is well written and very informative down to many details of family histories and techniques. A great book with gorgeous color plates throughout.

[Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book for a paper I was writing for my art history class, it served as a very good resource for that project, but also was of great interest to me personally. This book has lovely clear color photographs of many important pieces of armor, and a lot of information on their history.