Did all boys in the Renaissance have custom-made armor? No. What if that boy was destined to become the Grand Duke of Tuscany? Then yes.
This particular armor was made for Cosimo II, born in 1590 into the Medici family. The Medici weren’t just rich and influential; they were tremendous art patrons, keeping many of the great artists of the Italian Renaissance (including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael) very busy. The armor’s size suggests Cosimo was 11 or 12 when he got it, having already outgrown his first armor (at this level of society, children started wearing armor early on). And for this young noble, only the best artists, materials, and techniques would do. These intricate pieces were made in the Medici workshop under the leadership of Master Mariano, one of the few Florentine armorers whose name we still know today. This level of technical skill would clearly communicate Cosimo’s status as the heir to one of Italy’s most powerful and sophisticated dynasties.
This is not battlefield armor. It was designed for the era's tournaments on foot, where groups of young men faced off using blunted swords. Like today’s popular sports leagues, tournament contests were a regular part of courtly life across Renaissance Europe. They were opportunities for nobles of all ages to strengthen and show off their martial skills like swordsmanship, while building camaraderie and reinforcing alliances through friendly competition. The contestants were separated by a waist-high protective barrier, so they didn't need armor to cover their legs.
Getting into armor like this was not as simple as pulling on a football jersey and some shoulder pads. Servants would have been needed to help Cosimo, first into a layer of padded "arming garments" worn under the armor (usually quilted linen, but a noble like Cosimo would have had outer layers of silk or velvet). Then came the armor, held in place with laces threaded through specific points that helped support and keep it in place during the tournament. The helmet, which locks into place, came last.
Armor is much lighter and more comfortable than it might appear (this entire ensemble weighs a little over 26 pounds). But imagine what it would feel like to a boy to be inside this metal ensemble. Cosimo would also be carrying a sword, thinking about strategy and anticipating his next move while wearing a helmet that limited his eyesight and muffled sound. The competition could be intense, maybe even frightening. The young contenders in this tournament might have been using blunted swords, but there are dents in the steel.
Check out this armor in person at the DIA—you’ll find it in our European: Medieval and Renaissance collection on level 2 of the West Wing. And stop by the Cracchiolo Gallery off the Woodward Entrance to view our current Guests of Honor: Armor as Fashion exhibition, which reunites the portrait with the armor it depicts for the first time in over two centuries.
