01Whole painting
Radiating etched bands
Narrow panels fan out from the center spine like pleats, pulling your eye up toward the neck and down to the waist in one sweep.
“Stop to admire this elaborately gilded backplate, once part of a nobleman's armor. It’s a stunning example of Renaissance craftsmanship, blending protective steel with luxurious gold decoration.”
ABOUT THIS WORK
This backplate once protected the spine of Vincenzo Luigi di Capua, a nobleman from Naples, serving as a vital piece of a full armor suit. Crafted around 1570 by Pompeo della Cesa, a Milanese armorer, this piece showcases the era's blend of defensive engineering and elaborate artistry. Its curved form would have mirrored the wearer's back, providing both protection and a degree of comfort for movement. The steel surface is richly adorned with gold, not just for aesthetic appeal but also to signify the owner's status and wealth. This piece is more than mere protection; it's a wearable sculpture, reflecting the Renaissance ideal of integrating art into everyday objects, even those designed for battle or ceremonial display. The intricate gilding and robust construction speak to the specialized craftsmanship required to produce such high-quality armor for the elite.
DETAILS
- Artist
- Pompeo della Cesa
- Date
- 1570
- Medium
- Steel, gold, leather, copper alloy
- Location
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Dimensions
- H. approx. 15 in. (38 cm); W. approx. 11 in. (28 cm)
- Collection
- Arms and Armor
- Culture
- Italian, Milan
- Credit line
- Purchase, Gift in honor of Maximilian and Alexander Saga, 2013
LOOK CLOSER
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Pick one and we’ll show you exactly where to look.
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4 details are marked · pick a number
02
Oval medallion at the neck
Just below the collar, an oval frame holds a tiny scene with small figures. It sits at the top of the center strip, where the panels below begin.
1 of 4 on the painting
03
Gold in the trophies
Warm gold traces glint inside the dark etched bands, especially around the trophy-like clusters of arms. The bright metal stands out against the silvery steel.
2 of 4 on the painting
04
Tiny standing figures
Look along the center strip for small full-length figures set between the scrolls. They are easy to miss, but they turn the pattern into storytelling.
3 of 4 on the painting
05
Border of the lower edge
The bottom rim carries its own band of fine ornament, with a brown leather strap and rivets attached on either side. These fittings suggest the piece was meant to be fastened and worn.
4 of 4 on the painting
AUDIO DEEP DIVE
Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through Backplate of an Armor for Vincenzo Luigi di Capua (d. 1627) — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
THE ARTIST
Pompeo della Cesa
1537–1610Master armorer who crafted gilded steel garnitures for Italian nobility in Renaissance Milan.
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