1515 Marignano

Preview
«1515 Marignano»
27.03.2015 – 28.06.2015 | National Museum Zurich.
1515 Marignano
Marking the 500-year anniversary of the end of the war to control Milan, the
National Museum Zurich is launching the exhibition entitled “1515 Marignano”.
Important exhibits will be on display portraying this unusual phase in Swiss
history when Switzerland figured as a military power within Europe.
“1515 Marignano” addresses the causes and effects of the “Battle of Giants”, in
which Swiss and French armies each numbering 30,000 battled for control of Milan
with both sides suffering between 10,000 and 12,000 casualties. Why was
Lombardy important to the Swiss? How did it come about that Switzerland was a
contender in the European-wide struggle for dominance over the economically
flourishing Duchy of Milan?
The “1515 Marignano” exhibition also answers the question of how Switzerland
ultimately dealt with its defeat, examines the beneficial peace agreement
concluded with France and reflects on the significance of Marignano in Swiss
history.
Press conference
Wednesday, 25 March 2015 | 10 a.m. | National Museum Zurich.
Please direct enquiries to:
Juliette Wyler, Media & PR, Swiss National Museum
Phone +41 (0)44 218 65 49 | [email protected]
Schweizerisches Nationalmuseum. | Landesmuseum Zürich. | Museumstrasse 2, Postfach, 8021 Zürich |
T. +41 (0)58 466 65 11 | F. +41 (0)44 211 29 49 | [email protected] | www.landesmuseum.ch
Pictures and captions
The pictures may be used only for the purposes of press reporting and must be
accompanied by the corresponding captions.
Cavalry and cannons were important at the battle
that took place before the gates of Milan. The
incursion by the Venetian cavalry (at the top right)
was decisive. The Swiss infantry (top left) are
given little space in the picture, while the French
are completely absent.
Battle of Marignano, after 1515, Giovanni Andrea
Vavassore, Venice. Woodcut, hand-coloured.
Zentralbibliothek Zürich, Inv. 307.
The confederate campaign against Pavia in spring
1512 was conducted under the supreme
command of Ulrich von Hohensax. His 20,000 foot
soldiers ousted the French from Pavia and thus
from the Duchy of Milan.
Stained glass coat of arms of Ulrich von
Hohensax, 1507, Rathaus Lachen. Painted glass.
© Swiss National Museum, on permanent loan
from the Gottfried Keller-Stiftung.
Pope Julius II presented the Confederation with a
consecrated sword. It was the first time that such
a gift was not given to an individual such as a
prince or a commander. The oak leaves on the hilt
denote the coat of arms of Rovere, the family of
the Pope.
Ceremonial sword with sheath, 1512, Domenico di
Sutti, Rome. Gilded and enamelled silver. © Swiss
National Museum.
The most important weapon used by the Swiss
infantry could be made by a village blacksmith. It
was simple but effective. One blow with the axe or
a powerful jab with the thrusting blade was fatal.
Halberd, 1500–1550, Zurich. Ash wood and iron.
© Swiss National Museum.
‘Pull-out from Marignano’, Ferdinand Hodler,
1900. Fresco. © Swiss National Museum.
Even after losing his legs in battle, Hans Baer – a
banneret from Basel – can be seen holding his
standard aloft.
‘The Wounded Standard Bearer’, Ferdinand
Hodler, 1900. Fresco. © Swiss National Museum.
Key visual of the 1515 Marignano exhibition.
Illustration by Roli Hofer, created from elements
of ‘The Retreat from Marignano’ by Ferdinand
Hodler. © Swiss National Museum.