18347 Workshop of Tilman Riemenschneider the Twelve Disciples Germany, Middle Franconia, Abenberg? C
18347 Workshop of Tilman Riemenschneider The Twelve Disciples Germany, Middle Franconia, Abenberg? c. 1510 - 20 Central panel: 33 x 115 cm, Side panels: 30 x 55 cm Provenance By repute from the Marienkapelle in Abenberg, Middle Franconia; Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Munich (Inv. MA 1797-99); Sold to the Bernheimer Gallery in 1951; Christie's London, 14 December 1999, lot 48. Published Graf, Hugo. Katalog des Bayerischen Nationalmuseums. M. Rieger: Munich, 1896, pp. 72. Weniger, Matthias. Tilman Riemenschneider: Die Werke im Bayerischen Nationalmuseum, Munich, 2017, Fig. 7.16. Description These three masterfully carved panels originally belonged to a predella supporting a monumental altarpiece. Depicting the twelve disciples, the panels are attributed to Tilman Riemenschneider’s workshop or his close circle. They are reputed to come from a church in Abenberg and were housed at the Bavarian National Museum until 1951. The figures of disciples on the long panel are divided into two groups of three. They include Matthias with an axe, Paul with two swords, Peter with the keys, John with a chalice, Thomas with an axe, and James, the son of Alphaeus, with a fuller’s club. The first short panel includes Simon with the saw, Jude with the club, and Andrew with the saltire. The second short panel includes Bartholomew with a knife, Philip with a cross, and St James with the scallop shell on his hat. The figures wear contemporary 16th century dress. The reliefs are set in against a flat background crowned by ornate tracery above. The back of the longer panel supporting the figures appears to have been cut down.
[Show full text]