Tilman Riemenschneider. The Sculptor and his Workshop

The Würzburg sculptor and woodcarver Tilman Riemenschneider (c.1460-1531) worked within established formal traditions, yet succeeded in creating works of a kind that had never been seen before. Against common practice, he left many of his sculptures unpainted. This turned them from life-like images of saints into works of art far removed from the everyday world of the beholder. To see the intricate, supremely carved details of Riemenschneider's sculptures, the play of light and shade on their glazed wooden surfaces, and the moving expressions of the figures' faces and gestures, is as fascinating today as it must have been when they were created. With the help of 217 black and white and 55 colour illustrations, both of complete works and of details, this book gives a representative survey of the ouevre. Unique in the book market, the catalogue part of the book includes all works unanimously attributed to Riemenschneider or his workshop.