‘The Last Knight’ showcases over 180 objects from the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, an early master of political propaganda—and whose armor fashionably showed his ruthlessness.

A look at one pair of Maximilian’s shoes suggests how challenging that might be. The shoes, on a suit of steel armor from 1480, are narrow and come to a long sharp point, like a wasp’s stinger.

"The Last Knight," Emperor Maximilian I (1459–1519). “Epic” has become a grand colloquialism for almost anything particularly impressive or outstanding.

Part of a suit of armor presented by the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I to Henry VIII, made by Konrad Seusenhofer. (via Royal Armouries and Retronaut ) Closed helmet with mask visor, by Kolman ...

Similar suits of armor in the Maximilian style are on view in the museum’s arms and armor court, including Maximilian’s personal suit of jousting armor. Traut created this woodcut for a monumental ...

Maximilian's assembled armor is signed by the late 15th-, early 16th-century court armorer Lorenz Helmschmid, while Charles V's "light half-armor" is signed by the armorer's grandson, ...

Mr. Lauder began collecting arms and armor in 1976 and developed a close relationship with Stephen Vincent Grancsay, who served as the Met’s curator in charge of Arms and Armor from 1929 to 1964.

Most of the elements of this armor were made together, forming a single suit. The lower legs contain some modern restorations. The helmet is believed to be the work of the esteemed Augsburg armorer, ...

Installation view of ‘The Last Knight’ featuring bard presented by Maximilian I to Henry VIII (c. 1505), wrought by Guillem Margot, punched and engraved by Paul van Vrelant Photo: Bruce J. Schwarz ...