Art institute of Chicago.

Art institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

   The Deering Family Galleries of Medieval and Renaissance Art, Arms, and Armor present nearly 700 objects from the museum’s rich holdings of art from 1200 to 1600: monumental altarpieces, exquisite jewelry, and the beloved arms and armor collection.

   An elegant rotunda introduces the collection of arms and armor with equipment for the bodyguards of four rulers. From here, the space opens to a gallery filled with weaponry and armor dominated by two armored figures on horseback—one dressed for battle, the other for sport—and two armed and costumed figures engaged in foot combat. Finally, a gallery lined with cabinetry features the art of the sword, luxury firearms, and equipment for the hunt extending through the Baroque era.

   The new installation expands the display of art of this fascinating period sixfold, premiering several recently conserved works and many significant new acquisitions—an elegant late Gothic breastplate and backplate, a rare 15th-century German portrait, and an outstanding group of 17th- and 18th-century swords. Subtle changes in the architecture of the galleries propel visitors through time and from religious to secular works, while digital labels provide an interactive multimedia experience. At the heart of this display are the gifts of major collectors whose donations serve as the collection’s foundation: the Ayala Altarpiece and Saint George and the Dragon from Charles Deering, Sienese and Florentine gold-ground paintings and early Northern works given by Martin Ryerson, a terracotta altarpiece by Florentine Benedetto Buglioni and a South German carved and painted Saint Catherine from Kate Buckingham, and George F. Harding’s impressive collection of arms and armor. All come together in the new Deering Family Galleries, offering a transporting experience to a time that continues to enchant.

The museum displays the works of famous masters:

Anton Peffenhauser, Augsburg, Germany.

Valentin Siebenbürger, Nuremberg, Germany.

Wolfgang Grosschedel, Landshut, Germany.

Jörg T. Sorg, the Younger, Augsburg, Germany.

Lucio Piccinino, Milan, Italy.

Michel Witz the Younger, Innsbruck, Austria.

Jacob Halder, Greenwich, United Kingdom.