Opening Day Lecture | “Knights in Shining Armor”
Designed by Bernard van Orley, woven by Willem and Jan Dermoyen, Surrender of King François I, c. 1528–31, wool, silk, gold, and silver thread, Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte, Naples. Image © Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte
March 2, 2025
Curator James Anno presents a lecture to accompany the opening of the exhibition Knights in Shining Armor: The Pavia Tapestries.
During the Renaissance, monumental tapestries served as immersive and elaborate tools for dynamic storytelling, political propaganda, and the depiction of history. Knights in Shining Armor: The Pavia Tapestries offers an unprecedented look at some of the most awe-inspiring examples of these dynamic textile compositions, enhanced by the addition of full suits of intricate parade armor and stunning ceremonial weapons from the 16th century.
Plan Your Visit
- This lecture is included with Museum admission.
- The program takes place in Lynn Wyatt Theater in the Kinder Building. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The exhibition is located in the Law Building.
- At the lecture, the illustrated exhibition catalogue is available for purchase.
- Parking Information | Museum Hours | MFAH Campus Map
About the Speaker
James Anno is the associate curator of European art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
All Learning and Interpretation programs at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, receive generous support from H-E-B; Institute of Museum and Library Services; Sempra Foundation; the Brown Foundation, Inc.; the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; the John M. O'Quinn Foundation; the Joe Barnhart Foundation; the Cockrell Family Fund; the CFP Foundation; Macey and Harry Reasoner; the Texas Commission on the Arts; and the Junior League of Houston, Inc.
Endowment funds are provided by the Louise Jarrett Moran Bequest; Caroline Wiess Law; Windgate Foundation; the William Randolph Hearst Foundation; Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff; the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Fondren Foundation; BMC Software, Inc.; the Wallace Foundation; the Neal Myers and Ken Black Children’s Art Fund; the Eleanor and Frank Freed Foundation; Medha and Shashank Karve; Virginia and Ira Jackson; Jesse H. Jones II; the CFP Foundation; the Favrot Fund; gifts in memory of John Wynne; Neiman Marcus Youth Arts Education; gifts in memory of Peter Lotz; and gifts in honor of Beth Schneider.
"Knights in Shining Armor: The Pavia Tapestries" is organized by the Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte and The Museum Box in collaboration with the Kimbell Art Museum, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Major support is provided by:
Martha and Richard Finger
Additional generous support is provided by:
Luther King Capital Management
Vivian L. Smith Foundation
Consulate General of Italy in Houston