WASHINGTON, D.C— Alvaro Soler del Campo, the director of the Spanish Royal Armory, raided 16 prestigious repositories of Iberian pomp, including the former royal residence El Escorial, to portray the glory of the empire through the war regalia of its kings. On view exclusively at the National Gallery of Art in the U.S. capital from June 28 through November 1, "The Art of Power" brings together more than 50 pieces of Renaissance armor and 20 portraits of metal-clad aristos by the likes of Diego Velázquez. Of the kings whose protective paraphernalia is on view, Charles V (1500-1558) was perhaps the most fastidious: He insisted on the best silversmiths from Germany and Italy. On view is his parade helmet, right, which Milanese craftsman Filippo Negroli personalized with gilded curls in a nod to the ruler’s fair locks.

"Battle Bling" originally appeared in the June 2009 issue of Art+Auction. For a complete list of articles from this issue available on ARTINFO, see Art+Auction's June 2009 Table of Contents.