[Woodcarver] Tilman Riemenschneider

[Ivan Whillock]

Sally, I've read both books.  Here's a sad tale.  I was on a trip to eastern US, stayed over night just outside of DC.  Bought the book, "Tilman Riemenschneider, Master Sculptor," in a bookstore there.  Only after coming home did I discover from the dust jacket that the book was the catalog for an exhibition of his works that was THEN at the National Gallery in DC.  I was in the mood to board a plane and fly right back, but I didn't. However, I've seen his works in several places, among them the National Gallery in London,  the National Gallery in Washington, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and in, of course, in Germany.

Wurzburg was heavily bombed in WWII and many treasures were destroyed.  Still, much of his work is there, and in surrounding communities, a lot of it in sandstone.  Because of  donations of clothing and other aid from Faribault citizens after WWII, Wurzburg and Faribault became sister cities, and student exchanges and dignitary visits have taken place.  I was invited to travel with a Faribault contingent there, but a much more important event was taking place at the time: Chris' wedding.  One of my carvings was sent as a gift to the citizens of Wurzburg (like sending Velveeta as a gift to the citizens of Wisconsin).

Little is know of Riemenschneider's early life.  There is conjecture about where he received his apprenticeship, based on his style of carving but no specific evidence.  The records are more complete after he settled in Wurzburg in 1483, because of the signed contracts, etc. He became one of the city leaders, but also ran amok of the Bishop, was fined, jailed for couple of months and tossed off the Council.

The best of the two books, specifically for information on Riemenschneider, would be "Master Sculptor,"  although "Limewood Carvers" gives a splendid picture of the times and techniques, with a short biography of each sculptor shown. Heck, read them both!




Ivan Whillock Studio
122 NE 1st Avenue
Faribault, MN  55021
Visit my website at
http://www.whillock.com
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http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=ivancarve
  From: Sally Nye 
  Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 9:45 AM
  To: [[Woodcarver]] 
  Subject: [Woodcarver] Tilman Riemenschneider


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  I'm wondering the better place to visit to see the "life" of Tilman Riemenschneider (1460-1531).  Has his workshop been restored in Wurzburg?  Have his tools been preserved?  Or are his things in the national museum in Munich?   


  I'm hoping his things were not destroyed during the uprising of 1525.


  Can anyone offer a review of recommended reading?  
  Tilman Riemenschneider: Master Sculptor of the Late Middle Ages?
  The Limewood Sculptors or Renaissance Germany?


  I'm interested in his "life and lifestyle" as well as his work.  


  Thanks
  Sally    

  http://www.FanCarversWorld.com








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