Armor of Henry II, King of France (reigned 1547–59) ca. 1555 Part of the decoration design by Jean Cousin the Elder 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 monst

Armor of Henry II, King of France (reigned 1547–59) ca. 1555 Part of the decoration design by Jean Cousin the Elder 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 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. Listen to experts illuminate this artwork's story Listen Play or pause #4408. Armor of Henry II of France Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. We are working to make it available as soon as Armor of Henry II, King of France (reigned 1547–59). French, possibly Paris. ca. 1555. Steel, gold, silver, leather, textile. possibly Paris. Armor for Man

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