The Denver Art Museum (DAM) will present Age of Armor: Treasures from the Higgins Collection at the Worcester Art Museum this spring. Age of Armor examines the historical context of armor and the pragmatic functions it served, as well as the ideological sentiments about armor throughout time, from the Middle Ages into the modern era.
The exhibition will feature more than 80 objects from the Higgins Collection, supplemented by several pieces from the DAM’s own collections. Works from numerous departments were selected to explore ideas more deeply and connect the exhibition to the modern era. These works will encourage visitors to consider how the legacy of armor and the cultural meanings it reflects have endured through time, influencing modern artwork, and, in some cases, challenging traditional histories and ideals. On view May 15 through Sept. 5, 2022, the exhibition is included in general admission.
“Armor served a protective function, but it also held—and in many ways still holds—a mythological role,” said Christoph Heinrich, Frederick and Jan Mayer Director of the DAM. “This exhibition looks closely at these parallel stories, so visitors will get a sense of the historical development of armor alongside the values it signaled, all while appreciating the fine craftsmanship and artistry applied to create these lasting objects.”
Age of Armor was organized by Jeffrey Forgeng, Curator of Arms and Armor and Medieval Art at the Worcester Art Museum (WAM) in Massachusetts. The DAM’s presentation is curated by Douglas Wagner, Curatorial Associate of Asian Art at the DAM.
The Higgins Armory Collection at the Worcester Art Museum is one of the largest collections of arms and armor in the United States, comprising more than 1,500 objects from the medieval, Renaissance and later periods in Europe. These include full suits and individual pieces of armor, swords and early firearms. The collection also includes important objects from ancient Egypt and Greece, India and Japan.
For museum information, call 720-865-5000 or visit www.denverartmuseum.org.
