Andre Drouart
Armor of Infante Luis, Prince of Asturias (1712)
Andre Drouart
Materials: steel, blue and gilded; brass-gilt; silk; cotton; metallic
yarn;
paper
Armand Hammer, Occidental Petroleum Corperation Gift, 1989
Rarely
do you
find many people talking about pieces of armor or consider them an art
form. Personally, I think the art of making armor is one of the
most
unique style of art. Not only do you get to view the art work,
but
its is also possible to wear it too. This piece of armor was made
for Infante Luis, the Prince of Asturias. It was presented by
Louis
XIV of France to Luis, the first bourbon heir to the throne of
Spain.
The creator of the armor signed and dated the armor, "Drouar Orddinaire
du Roi dux Heaume a` Paris 1712." (Drouar, armorer-in-ordinary to the
king,
at the sign of the helm in Paris, 1712) Its not actually known
who
Drouar is, but most believe that it is Andre Drouart.
There wasn't very much information listed about Andre Drouart, but the
little that is known is that he was one of the last armorers active in
France by 1712. The Materials used in the construction are as
follows: blue and gilded steel, brass-gilt, silk, cotton, metallic
yarn, and paper. To me the way the gold plating shines through
that dark pieces of the armor almost makes it look like a relief
sculpture. The red silk the lines the inside compliments that
dark and gold of the outside very well. The armor still retains
its blue and gold surfaces and nearly all its original red-silk
lining. There are a few symbolic heraldic designs placed on the
armor- the Lion of Leon, the castle of Castile, and the
fluer-de-lis of France. These symbols represent the dynastic
claim to which Luis was heir. In conclusion, armor making is no
longer a praticed profession, but still remains to me the most
unique. Armor was more than just art, it was a symbol. For
many people in the past it was a symbol of their status in the
community, or just a status of wealth. In general, its and art
form that I wish would come back to the main stream, for its viewing
pleasure.
References
Images are from the Met Museum
Timeline of history, 2005
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 27 November 2005
<http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/deca/hod_1989.3htm>