1515 Marignano
Transcription
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.