The Thun-Hohenstein Album: Cultures of Remembrance in a Paper Armory

The Thun-Hohenstein Album is a collection of drawings by professional book painters that depict some of the most artistically and technologically innovative armors of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. It is the first to examine the album and the armor it depicts in their vibrant artistic and cultural context, exploring the album's complex intersections with the genres of martial history, material culture, and literature. It also reveals the album's participation in cultures of remembrance that carried mythic, knightly personae constructed around powerful Habsburg princes forward in time from the Middle Ages into the early modern era.

Format: Hardback
Length: 392 pages
Publication date: 06 June 2023
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

In the captivating realms of late medieval and early modern Europe, the realm of armour transcended its mere function as a protective shield in warfare or knightly sport. It evolved into a rich visual language, intricately woven with diverse types that formed a complex tapestry of symbolism. Luxury armour, meticulously tailored to fit the contours of a wearer's body, became a testament to their status, with its memorable details proclaiming their noble lineage. Empty armour, devoid of its wearer, possessed a remarkable ability to evoke a sense of physical presence, stirring recollections of knightly personae, dazzling pageantry, and awe-inspiring feats of arms. The mnemonic power of this armour lingered long after the echoes of battle had faded, the trumpets had silenced, and the dust had settled in the tournament arena.

For centuries, it was believed that the Thun-Hohenstein Album, a bound collection of drawings by professional book painters, held preliminary designs sketched by master armourers. However, this perception has been challenged, as the album reveals itself as a treasure trove of artistic and technological innovation. It serves as a tangible counterpart to the princely armories that emerged during the 1500s, offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of meaning and memory that these armours embodied.

The organization of the images within the codex suggests the profound significance attributed to them by their compiler. At the same time, the composition and intricate details of the drawings allow the reader to trace the transmission of recognizable armours, and the memories they held, from the anvil to the page. This book stands as a groundbreaking exploration, delving into the depths of the Thun-Hohenstein Album and the armour it depicts. Spanning five thematic chapters, it delves into the intricate intersections of the album with the realms of martial history, material culture, and literature. It also uncovers the album's role in perpetuating cultures of remembrance, where mythic narratives intertwined with historical events to shape the collective memory of society.

Through meticulous research and analysis, this book offers a fresh perspective on the armour depicted in the Thun-Hohenstein Album, shedding light on its artistic and cultural significance. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, historians, and enthusiasts alike, providing a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between armour, art, and society during this transformative period in European history.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781837650439