CLEVELAND.- The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) presents a varied selection of some of the finest surviving examples of European arms and armor with the arrival of Arms and Armor from Imperial Austria on view February 24, 2008 – June 1, 2008 at CMA. This exhibition is the Museum’s first to look at a slice of history in Europe at the height of the Renaissance through the subject of arms and armor and its role in a rural society on the border of the Ottoman Empire.

Arms and Armor from Imperial Austria, curated by CMA’s curator of medieval art, Stephen N. Fliegel, focuses upon the history of the Austrian state of Styria between 1500 and 1650 when it was under threat from the advancing Ottoman Turks. At the heart of the story is a broad selection of loans from the collection of the Landeszeughaus (regional armory) in Graz, the capital of Styria. This armory, still intact, was one of a series of armories established by the early Habsburg Family in the 16th century throughout Central Europe for defensive purposes against the Turkish expansion. At its height, the armory housed 180,000 pieces; today it contains 30,000 pieces including some of the finest surviving examples of arms and armor in Europe. The exhibition, presenting more than 200 works, will additionally examine the role of arms and armor in a historical context, both as highly-decorated art objects, and as functional weaponry or protection for its wearer. Other aspects of the history of the period explored are warfare, tournaments, and armor as fashion.

“This is CMA’s first major exhibition to deal with the subject of arms and armor,” Timothy Rub, CMA director, said. “The exhibition presents extraordinary examples of armor and weapons in historical context. That is, they will be presented with paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts objects that will provide the subject with deeper meaning and the audience with a greater historical understanding of their purpose and function.”

Exhibition highlights include: Michael Witz the Younger, Elements of a Great Garniture for Field and Tournament Use of Kaspar Baron V�ls-Schenkenberg (iron and leather, 1560); Armor for the Joust (Plankengestech), (ca. 1570); Black and White Three-Quarter Armor for a Nobleman (iron and leather, 1550); Master “MR”Wheel-lock Hunting Rifle (iron, wood, bone and gilt, ca. 1600); Morion (Helmet) (etched and blackened iron, 1575); Equestrian Armor for Man and Horse in Maximilian Style, (ca. 1530); and Saddle and stirrups (iron and leather, 1530-1540). This exhibition also showcases some pieces form CMA’s collection including Albrecht Durer, Knight, Death, and the Devil (sheet, 1513).

“This is a rare opportunity to experience works from Europe’s largest and oldest intact armory,” said Stephen Fliegel, CMA curator of medieval art. “This exhibition will feature a compelling design in which large groups of armor are arranged in battle formation. It will capture the romance and chivalry of the subject of armor with its concomitant aspects of protection of the weak by the strong, courtesy towards women, solidarity, and loyalty. The exhibition will be breathtaking in its presentation with the armor presented as “sculpture in steel”. It presents a slice of Austrian history at its most compelling phase, the Renaissance, during which the arts and artistic patronage were flourishing. If you don’t see this show, you will miss the opportunity to see one of Europe’s most important and historic collections of arms and armor.”

This exhibition, a portion of which was originally conceived as a touring exhibition entitled Imperial Austria: Treasures of Art, Arms & Armor from the State of Styria, toured the U.S., Canada and Australia during the early 1990s with record attendance. The core group of works were offered to CMA as an updated exhibition by the Austrian cultural and exhibition service, PONTE. CMA staff worked together with the staff of the Landeszeughaus and Ponte to identify about 20 additional works to draw closer connections between the armor and Fine Arts. A fine example of an additional loan for the Cleveland venue is the Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577-1640) Allegorical Painting of Emperor Charles V as Ruler of the World (oil on canvas, ca. 1604).

Tickets for Arms and Armor from Imperial Austria are available to the public on January 8, 2008. CMA members can begin to purchase tickets on December 18, 2007. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office. Hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Closed on Mondays. Admission to the exhibition is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors 65 and over, $10 for children (6-18 years) and FREE for children 5 and under. Students with a college ID are $10 and CWRU students are $3. Adult and corporate group sales tickets are $12 per individual, senior groups are $10 per individual and student groups are $9 per individual. A narrative Acoustiguide Audio Tour is available free of charge. Subject to availability.

Arms and Armor from Imperial Austria has been organized from the collection of the Landeszeughaus arsenal in Graz. KeyBank is a supporting sponsor. Support for the educational programs has been made possible in part by a grant from Giant Eagle. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this exhibition with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.