Workshop of Michel Witz, the Younger
● On view now — Gallery 239
Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · verified July 2026
FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG
This armor is complete with a breast and backplate called an anime that is entirely composed of overlapping segments (lames) held together by rivets and internal leather bands. During the mid-16th century a new form of lightly armored horseman developed, armed with pistols rather than the traditional lance. These cavalrymen often favored this segmented design as it offered more flexibility across the chest to ride comfortably and reload their weapons. An open-faced helmet also helped aiming. The spiked bar defense protected against sword cuts across the face.
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Probably Italian — Breastplate with Tassets (Thigh Defenses)
North German — Infantry Armor
Italian — Portions of a Jousting Armor
German, Nuremberg — Fluted Field Armor
South German; Augsburg — Composite Boy's Armor for Foot Tour
Italian, Milan — Closed Helmet of Elements of Armor for Foot
South German, Nuremberg — Composite Armor for Heavy Cavalry
Austrian, Innsbruck — Portions of a Field Armor
Southern German — Armor for the Field and Tourney
German, Augsburg — Field Armor
South German; Augsburg — Elements of a Half Armor for Foot T
Italian; Milan — Armor for Heavy Calvary (Cuirassier)