Art Institute of Chicago

Musket-Proof Half Armor of King Philip III (Media Armadura a Prueba de Mosquete del Rey Felipe III)

Juan (Jean) Laurent

Date

c. 1868

Medium

Albumen print

Culture

France

Department

Photography and Media

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Jean (known in Spain as Juan) Laurent was one of the most recognized photographers of 19th-century Spain. He developed a thriving portrait business, documented Spanish public works projects, and produced an encyclopedic survey of Spanish and Portuguese architecture. In the mid-1860s, Laurent was permitted to photograph in the Royal Armory of Madrid, which housed rare personal arms and armor of monarchs from the 15th century onward. He released a catalogue detailing 187 different images from the collection, including this image of half-armor bearing the insignia of King Philip III. Set against a stark black background, the suit of armor seems to hover as if waiting for its wearer.

The authoritative record is held by Art Institute of Chicago. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.