Polishing Arms
Engraverengraved by
Hans Collaert the Younger
(Flemish, 1566–1628)
Artistafter
Jan Stradanus
(Flemish, 1523–1605)
Dateabout 1588
Mediumengraving on laid paper
Dimensionssheet: 20.5 × 27.8 cm (8 1/16 × 10 15/16 in.)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Stone Bequest and the Theodore T. and Mary G. Ellis Fund
Object number2014.1200
DescriptionPlate No. 17 from the series "Nova Reperta (Modern Discoveries)".Scene from polishing shop by Jean Collaert (after Jan van der Straet [Stradanus], from the series "Nova Reperta" (New Inventions). In center, 2 boys seated on bench polish components against grinding wheels. To their left on bench & floor are armor components, & on shelf above, a dozen helmets. To proper right, boy with pack carries more components into shop; to left, bearded man helps boy with his load. Latin inscription at bottom reads "POLITURA ARMORUM" & "Enses, bipennes, arma Bellonae omnia, Nostro, haud vetusto, sunt polita tempore."
Label TextThis print comes from a series illustrating technologies invented during the Middle Ages. It is one of surprisingly few realistic representations of armor-making at the end of the 1500s. By that time, armor was being industrially produced for growing armies in Europe. Here, a group of workers uses water-powered wheels for grinding and polishing. The Latin inscription at the bottom reads: “Polishing Arms: Swords, battle-axes, all the arms of war, are polished nowadays, but were not in ancient times.”
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