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Late Medieval German Sculpture
Bust of the Virgin [Bohemian] Pieta (Vesperbild) [Bohemian] Virgin and Child [Nuremberg] Attributed to Niclaus Gerhaert von Leiden: Standing Virgin and Child Pupil of Veit Stoss: The Baptism of Christ Tilman Riemenschneider: Seated Bishop




Central Europe (1400–1550)
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Ecclesiastic decoration, especially for winged altarpieces, was in great demand in the fifteenth and early sixteenth century, and sculpture workshops flourished in Central Europe as never before. Several individuals stand out among the creative talents of the time: Niclaus Gerhaert von Leiden (Standing Virgin and Child, 1996.14), Veit Stoss (12.130.1), and Tilman Riemenschneider (1970.137.1). All three mastered carving in both wood and stone, and produced works for a variety of purposes: the decoration of churches and houses (Virgin and Child, 1986.340), sculpted retables, and objects for private devotion. With a keen business sense, they sold inventive sculpture of great refinement, as well as more modest works that could be entrusted to an assistant following a model (Baptism of Christ, 12.130.1). The mobility of late medieval artists ensured the dissemination of styles over wide geographic areas. For example, echoes of the Schöne Stil (Beautiful Style) practiced in Prague around 1400 (Pietà, 2001.78), are found as far afield as Strasbourg and Poland. Likewise, Niclaus Gerhaert probably studied sculpture by Claus Sluter in Dijon, before working in Mainz, Strasbourg, Constance, and Vienna.


Europe, period, Medieval Europe, Europe, geography, Central Europe (including Germany), Religious Art, Christianity, Sculpture, in the Round, Europe, Central Europe, Religious Art, Christianity, Sculpture in the Round, Religious Art, Christianity, Sculpture Relief, Stoss, Veit (German, 1438/47-1533), Riemenschneider, Tilman (German, 1460-1531, active in Wurzburg, 1483-1525), Leiden, Niclaus Gerhaert von (North Netherlandish, active in Strasbourg, 1460-50; died in Vienna, 1473?), Gothic Art

Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters

Bronze Sculpture in the Renaissance, Late Medieval German Sculpture: Images for the Cult and for Private Devotion, Late Medieval German Sculpture: Materials and Techniques, Late Medieval German Sculpture: Polychromy and Monochromy, Gothic Art, Art for the Christian Liturgy in the Middle Ages, Medieval European Sculpture for Buildings, German and Austrian Porcelain in the Eighteenth Century, Abridged List of Rulers: Europe, The Face in Medieval Sculpture,

Central Europe (including Germany), 1400-1600 A.D., Central Europe (including Germany),1600 -1800 A.D., Central Europe (including Germany), 1000-1400 A.D.,

Europe, 1400-1600 A.D.