RüstkammerTalks

To kick things off, Joseph Leo Koerner provides insights into his new book on the role of art in times of war and crisis. The focus is also on two important events that are celebrating their 500th anniversaries this year: the German Peasants' War and the Battle of Pavia. Fueled by the Reformation, the armed uprising of broad sections of the population against existing social conditions is considered the largest popular uprising before the French Revolution. The victory over the French and the capture of King Francis I represent a central motif in 16th century Habsburg propaganda - even if its actual significance in the struggle for supremacy in northern Italy is questionable. The notorious Landsknechte played a key role in both events. They heralded the warfare of the early modern period, which was characterized by constantly growing armies of foot soldiers.

In the Imperial Armoury, key players from 1525 are represented with armour and weapons, including the respective monarchs and lansquenet leaders such as Marx Sittich I von Hohenems or Georg and Kaspar Frundsberg.