Knights in Armor showcases stunning examples of European arms and armor from the renowned collection of the Museo Stibbert in Florence, Italy. More than one hundred rare objects—including full suits of armor, mounted equestrian figures, helmets, swords, and other weaponry—tell the tale of the European knight from the Middle Ages and Renaissance through to the medieval revival of the nineteenth century. The exhibition explains the historical and functional contexts of arms and armor of this period while also highlighting the undeniable beauty and artistic appeal of these works.
Family Activities
We have several fun activities to help families enjoy the exhibition together!
In the galleries, follow a tour that leads you along the path to knighthood through the perspective of a young fictional knight named Marco.
In the Frist’s interactive Martin ArtQuest Gallery, guests of all ages can design tournament shields, fashion horse armor, animate mythical creatures, build block castles, and more.
Check out additional Knights in Armor family activities online, including a recommended reading list and downloadable activity sheets that will help you discover your own knight name and create an epic tale like a jester!
Exhibition panels
Follow the Frist Art Museum’s knight on his quest while this exhibition was in Nashville. This campaign was originally posted on the Frist’s Instagram account as part of the promotion for the Knights in Armor exhibition.
Organized by Contemporanea Progetti in collaboration with the Museo Stibbert, Florence, Italy
Supported in part by
The Sandra Schatten
Foundation
Supported in part by
The Anne and Joe Russell Family
Spanish translation sponsor
Additional funding provided by our Friends of Renaissance Art
Presented in part by
This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP5534 awarded to
the State of Tennessee by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Exhibition gallery
Mounted figure with equestrian bard: Italian (Brescia). Suit of armor, 1560–65. Steel, mail, bronze, leather, and fabric, total height: 74 3/4 in.; European. Chanfron, mid-16th century. Steel and leather, 27 1/2 x 11 3/4 x 13 in.; European. Bit and bridle, 16th century. Steel and bronze, 3 7/8 x 15 3/4 x 9 in.; European. Stirrups, 16th century. Steel and leather, 11 3/4 x 11 3/4 x 5 7/8; European. Elements of barding (peytral and crupper), 19th century. Fabrics, 34 5/8 x 41 3/8 x 15 in. Collection of Museo Stibbert, Florence, Italy
Suit of armor with side sword: German (Nuremburg). Suit of armor, 1500–10. Steel, leather, and fabric; Northern Italian. Side sword, 1610–20. Steel. Collection of Museo Stibbert, Florence, Italy
Italian (Lombardy). Suit of Jousting Armor with Lance, ca. 1560–80. Steel, leather, and wood; armor: 72 7/8 x 27 1/2 x 19 5/8 in., lance: 114 1/8 x 15 3/4 x 15 3/4 in. Collection of Museo Stibbert, Florence, Italy
European. Chanfron, mid-16th century. Steel and leather, 27 1/2 x 15 3/4 x 15 3/4 in. Collection of Museo Stibbert, Florence, Italy
French. Close Helmet, ca. 1590. Steel, 11 3/4 x 13 x 7 7/8 in. Collection of Museo Stibbert, Florence, Italy
Unknown Italian painter. Giovanni dalle Bande Nere, late 16th century. Oil on canvas, 40 1/2 x 32 5/8 in. Collection of Museo Stibbert, Florence, Italy
Northern German. Close helmet, ca. 1550. Steel, 11 3/4 x 9 7/8 x 15 3/4 in. Collection of Museo Stibbert, Florence, Italy
Italian (Florence). Parade corselet, beginning of 17th century. Steel, bronze, leather, and velvet, 32 1/4 x 28 3/8 x 23 5/8 in., height with hand: 47 1/4 in. Collection of Museo Stibbert, Florence, Italy
Suit of armor with side sword: Italian (Lombardy). Suit of armor, ca. 1540–50. Steel, leather, fabric, and wood; Northern Italian. Side sword, 1600–25. Steel. Collection of Museo Stibbert, Florence, Italy
