Der aller durchleuchtigisten und grosmächtigen Kayser ... Königen ... Herren vom Adel ... Bildtnussen und kurtz Beschreibungen ihrer so wol in Fridts- als Kriegszzeiten verrichten fürnembsten Thaten und Handlungen : deren Waffen und Rüstungen ... auss allen Landen der Welt ... in dem Schloss Ombrass ... zu ewiger Gedächtnuss auffbehalten werden ...
Not on view
This work is recognized as containing the finest ancient illustrations of armor in existence. The beautifully engraved plates by Dominic Custodis after designs by Giovanni Battista Fontana depict the remarkable collection of armor, belonging to important military leaders, collected by the Archduke Ferdinand of Tyrol at Castle Ambrass near Innsbruck. The collection was transferred to Vienna in 1796 and placed in the Belvedere in 1806. Today the collection is part of the Museum of Art History in Vienna, which exhibits parts of the collection again at Castle Ambrass. The 126 full-length figures of emperors, kings, nobles and generals are presented in their full armor, standing in alcoves and framed by ornamental columns. Depicted are: the Emperors Frederick III, Maximilian I & II, Charles V, Ferdinand I; Kings Charles IX & François I of France; the Turkish rulers Soliman and Mehmet; Dukes Giovanni & Cosmo de Medici, the Elector John Frederick of Saxony, and many others.
Title with woodcut archducal arms with griffin supporters surrounded by a fine woodcut border showing trophies of war, repeated on every page of text, engraved frontispiece and 125 full-page engravings.
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